KOt-Bu-promoted selective ring-opening N-alkylation of 2-oxazolines to access 2-aminoethyl acetates and N-substituted thiazolidinones.

An efficient and simple KOt-Bu-promoted selective ring-opening N-alkylation of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline or 2-(methylthio)-4,5-dihydrothiazole with benzyl halides under basic conditions is described for the first time. The method provides a convenient and practical pathway for the synthesis of versatile 2-aminoethyl acetates and N-substituted thiazolidinones with good functional group tolerance and selectivity. KOt-Bu not only plays an important role to promote this ring-opening N-alkylation, but also acts as an oxygen donor.