Synthesis of 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Oxazoles via Pd-Catalyzed C–H Addition to Nitriles/Cyclization Sequences

A practical and flexible intermolecular protocol for the diverse synthesis of trisubstituted oxazole derivatives via a Pd-catalyzed direct C-H addition of electronic-rich heteroarenes to O-acyl cyanohydrins bearing an α-hydrogen/cyclization sequence is described. A wide range of trisubstituted oxazoles can be prepared from readily available starting materials in good to high yields with high efficiency under redox neutral reaction conditions.