Iodine-catalyzed synthesis of benzoxazoles using catechols, ammonium acetate, and alkenes/alkynes/ketones via C-C and C-O bond cleavage.

An efficient metal-free synthesis strategy of benzoxazoles was developed via coupling catechols, ammonium acetate, and alkenes/alkynes/ketones. The developed methodology represents an operationally simple, one-pot and large-scale procedure for the preparation of benzoxazole derivatives using molecular iodine as the catalyst.