Synthesis of derivatives of oxazolidin-5-ones

A method has been developed for the synthesis of derivatives of oxazolidin-5-one by the reaction of the corresponding N-benzyloxycarbonylaminoacid with formaldehyde in the presence of formic acid. Yields of derivatives of 3-benzyloxycarbonyloxazolidin-5-one increase with increased molecular weight of the initial compound. For the synthesis of 3-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-benzyloxazolidin-5-one the proposed method gives a higher yield than previously known methods. The reaction mechanism is discussed.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 115–117, January, 1993.