Abstract: | The carbonyl-containing compounds react with the amides of phenyl-1-thioglyoxalic acids ( 3 ), and if methyl iodide is present, cause cyclisation into 4-methylthio-5-phenyl-2,5-dihydrooxazol-5-ols ( 4 ). The ketal hydroxyl group of the latter can be methylated. When a hydrogen atom exists in the 2-position (cyclisation with an aldehyde), its elimination provides an oxazole 7 . |