Facile synthesis of benzoxazoles from 1,1-dibromoethenes

Direct coupling of 1,1-dibromoethenes with 2-aminophenols had been achieved to form the corresponding benzoxazoles under mildly basic reaction conditions. A variety of substituted 2-aminophenols provided the desired products in moderate to good yields. Even though 1,1-dibromoethenes have to be derived from arylcarboxaldehydes or glyoxalate for the reactions, this method still provides a new route to the preparation of benzoxazoles, complementing to existing synthetic strategies.