Synthesis of Oxazolines from Amides via Palladium-Catalyzed Functionalization of Unactivated C(sp3)–H Bond

A complementary method that enables the expeditious synthesis of oxazolines from amides via Pd-catalyzed C­(sp3)–H functionalization has been described. Preliminary studies indicate that the reaction might go through a chlorination/nucleophilic cyclization sequence, and the high efficiency of this sequence is enhanced by the in situ cyclative capture of the chlorinated intermediate. The resulting oxazolines can be further converted into the corresponding β-amino alcohols without chromatography.