Comparison between triplet and singlet molecular oxygen oxidation of fully substituted alkoxyoxazoles

Oxidation by ground-state molecular oxygen of fully substituted alkoxyoxazoles I gave imines IV as major products; diacylcarbamates III were also obtained as minor products. The free radical nature of the autoxidation was established. A mechanistic interpretation of the results is suggested also in the light of the results of the oxidation with singlet oxygen.