Selective synthesis of 2-substituted 4-carboxy oxazoles, thiazoles and thiazolidines from serine or cysteine amino acids

The synthesis of new 4-carboxy oxazoles, thiazoles and thiazolidines by condensation of serine or cysteine with aldehydes or acids is described. Due to the optimization of a mild and selective procedure, which takes advantage of the positive effect of microwave irradiation on the MnO2 mediated oxidation step, the 2-substituted-4-carboxy derivatives can be obtained in multi-gram scale. Examples of coordination chemistry to Ni(II) and Co(II) are described.