Synthesis of cinnamic acid-derived 4,5-dihydrooxazoles

A range of cinnamic units containing 4,5-dihydrooxazoles was prepared using two different synthetic routes. The first method was based on the transformation of substituted cinnamic or benzoic acids to 2-styryl-4,5-dihydrooxazoles. Several derivatives containing phenolic groups were prepared in this manner. The second approach consisted of a reaction between the 4,5-dihydrooxazole moiety and double bond-containing compounds. These compounds contain two or more reactive centres capable of providing polymerisations and also organic reactions.