Molecular iodine-catalyzed, mild, effective, ecofriendly, microwave-assisted, one-pot synthesis of 5-arylmethylidene-2-phenyloxazol-4-ones (Azalactones) under solvent-free conditions

Fourteen azalactones have been synthesized in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions by heating an aldehyde, hippuric acid, and acetic anhydride in the presence of molecular iodine as a catalyst in a microwave oven. The short reaction time, cleaner reaction, and easy workup make this protocol practical and economically attractive. Copyright © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC