Functionalized oxazoles from rhodiumi-catalyzed reaction of dimethyl diazomalonate with nitriles☆

Abstract Rhodium(II) acetate catalyzes the reaction of dimethyl diazomalonate with nitriles to give 4-carbomethoxy-5-methoxy-1,3-oxazo1es. Oxazole formation exceeds cyclopropane formation even in cases of conjugated and non-conjugated unsaturated nitriles.