Palladium-Catalyzed Sequential Heteroarylation/Acylation Reactions of Iodobenzenes: Synthesis of Functionalized Benzo[d]oxazoles

We report an efficient palladium-catalyzed approach to the synthesis of benzoxazole derivatives via sequential heteroarylation/acylation reaction of iodobenzenes. Three readily available starting materials, iodobenzenes, anhydrides, and benzoxazoles, were smoothly coupled to form new C–C bonds at the ortho and ipso positions of the iodobenzenes to afford 2-heteroaryl-3-acylbenzene derivatives in good yields.