One pot synthesis of 2-phenylbenzoxazoles by potassium cyanide assisted reaction of o-aminophenols and benzaldehydes

The 2-phenylbenzoxazoles were obtained in moderate to good yields by reaction of the substituted o-aminophenols with benzaldehydes in the presence of one equivalent of potassium cyanide as an equimolecular catalyst in N,N-dimethylformamide at room temperature.