A Novel Synthesis of 4-Acetoxyl 5(4H)-Oxazolones by Direct α-Oxidation of N-Benzoyl Amino-Acid Using Hypervalent Iodine.

We have developed a new method to prepare 4-acetoxy substituted 5(4H)-oxazolones by direct oxidation of N-benzoyl amino-acids using hypervalent iodine. The method is efficient, economical and easy to perform for the synthesis of quaternary substituted amino acid derivatives. We used online FTIR monitoring techniques to analyze the reaction, and gave a plausible reaction mechanism.