Expedient routes to 4,4-dialkyl- 5-methylene-1,3-oxazolines

Abstract

Tertiary alkynols with benzonitrile cyclize in the presence of acids to give 4,4-dialkyl-5-methylene-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazolines. Aliphatic nitriles and tertiary acetylenic alcohols are transformed, through intermediate acetylenic amides, which undergo ring-closure upon heating with solid alkali, to 2-alkyl-4,4-dialkyl-5-methylene-1,3-oxazolines.