Cyanide as a Powerful Catalyst for Facile Preparation of 2-Substituted Benzoxazoles via Aerobic Oxidation

A cyanide‐catalyzed synthesis of 2‐substituted benzoxazoles from Schiff bases via aerobic oxidation has been developed. The products from various Schiff bases were obtained in high yields in an open flask under ambient conditions without other external oxidants. We have also developed a simple one‐step protocol for the synthesis of benzoxazoles from aminophenol and the corresponding aldehydes in the presence of cyanide without isolation of imine intermediates.