Elemental tellurium mediated synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles using trifluoroacetic anhydride as reagent.

An elemental tellurium mediated synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles from the reaction of acetophenone oxime acetates with trifluoroacetic anhydride has been developed. This new tandem cyclization proceeds in good to excellent yields via a SET reduction followed by a 5-endo-trig pathway. Some of the title compounds showed fungicidal and insecticidal activities.