Rhodium-catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of chiral oxazolopiperidines

A multicomponent reaction that employs an unsaturated carboxylic acid, a 1,2 or 1,3 amino alcohol and gaseous CO and H2 has been discovered. Thus, hydrocarbonylation of the carboxylic acid double bond generates a linear aldehyde, that is, immediately transformed into an oxazolidine. Further microwave assisted intramolecular lactamization delivers oxazolopiperidines with the generation of six new bonds in a one-pot single step. Bicylic, tricyclic, tetracyclic, and spirocyclic oxazolopiperidines can be prepared in good yields and acceptable stereoselection. The reaction did not occur under conventional heating even at higher temperature and pressure and for longer time, showing that microwave heating is indispensable to the process.