A Multicomponent Route to Functionalized Amides and Oxazolidinones.

An organobase-mediated multicomponent reaction of unactivated esters, epoxides, and amines is reported, furnishing functionalized amide derivatives. A wide range of substrates are tolerated under the reaction conditions, including chiral epoxides, which react with no erosion of enantiopurity. Facile modification of the method through replacing the ester derivative with dimethyl carbonate enables access to the corresponding oxazolidinone derivatives.