A method for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles

A synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles from the parent C–H compound is described. The procedure involves deprotonation at the 2-position of the benzoxazole and quenching the intermediate organolithium species with a halogen electrophile. The 2-halobenzoxazole is then treated in the same pot with an amine nucleophile to afford the desired product. The substrate scope and selectivity of the reaction are presented. The method is operationally simple and provides access to a variety of amine products bearing additional nucleophilic heteroatoms.