A one‐pot efficient four‐component reaction for the synthesis of 2‐(arylamino)‐2‐(5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)propyl benzoate (or acetate) derivatives

Reactions of (N‐isocyanimino) triphenylphosphorane with 2‐oxopropylbenzoate (or acetate) in the presence of aromatic carboxylic acids and primary amines proceed smoothly at room temperature and in neutral conditions to afford sterically congested 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives in high yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly and cleanly under mild conditions, and no side reactions were observed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:692–698, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20735