Erlenmeyer azlactone synthesis with aliphatic aldehydes under solvent-free microwave conditions

2-Phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolone (azlactone) reacts with aliphatic aldehydes upon adsorption on neutral alumina and irradiation with microwaves (<2 min). The corresponding condensation products are obtained in good yields (62-78%), indicating the satisfactory resolution of a long-standing problem plaguing the classical Erlenmeyer synthesis (poor results with aliphatic aldehydes). Plausible mechanistic reasons for the success of the procedure are discussed.