New facile and mild synthesis of 2-substituted oxazolopyridines

A new, two-step synthesis of oxazolopyridines is described. The synthesis involving amide formation between o-aminopyridinols and aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acids followed by condensation with hexachloroethane/triphenylphosphine takes place at room temperature and thereby gives mild access to all regioisomeric, 2-substituted oxazolopyridines in good yields.