Synthesis of 3-acylamino-2-oxazolidinone derivatives through cyclic transformations of 5-aryl (or benzyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one derivatives

New 3-acylamino-2-oxazolidinone derivatives 3 were obtained in good yields by reaction of 5-aryl (or benzyl)3-(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)ones 1 with sodium ethylate. Treatment of ethyl 5-aryl-2-oxo-1,3,4-oxadiazole-3(2H)-acetates 7 with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of sodium ethylate or sodium hydride afforded 3-acylamino-5-aryl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxazolidinone derivatives as two trans- 5 and cis- 6 racemics. Only RS,SR-racemates were obtained with acetophenone under the same conditions.