Facile Synthesis of 2,4-Disubstituted Thiooxazoles and 2,4-Disubstituted Oxazole Sulfonyl Chlorides via Acyl Isothiocyanates and TMS-Diazomethane

An expedient method for the direct conversion of acyl isothiocyanates to 2,4-disubstitued thiooxazoles and 2,4-disubstituted oxazole sulfonyl chlorides is described. The method takes advantage of an early observation by Sheehan and the reaction of diazomethane with isocyanates to form oxazolones. However, in this case an acyl isothiocyanate is utilized as well as the readily available TMS-diazomethane to provide access to the desired 4-substituted sulfur derivatives. The 2,4-disubstituted oxazole systems synthesized represent novel thiooxazoles and oxazole sulfonyl chlorides not previously described.