Recent Advancements in the Synthetic Chemistry of Oxazole Derivatives and their Significant Medicinal Applications

The five-membered oxazole motif heterocyclic aromatic ring has been gaining considerable attention due to its bioisosterism property and unusually wide range of desired biological properties. Thus, it is a perfect pre-built platform for the discovery of new scaffold development in medicinal chemistry. In recent years, the potential of oxazoles has garnered significant attention from medicinal chemists, resulting in the development of several synthetic and plant-based drugs currently in the market. Interest in the biological applications of oxazoles has notably intensified over the past fifteen years. This overview aims to provide a comprehensive, systematic summary of recent advancements in the synthetic chemistry of oxazole-based compounds, highlighting significant progress in their biological applications during this period as well as outlining prospects for further development. In summary, we overview literature in synthetic chemistry and explore structure- activity relationships and mechanisms of action with medicinal applications for the development of oxazole derivatives that hold promise for discovering new and effective drug candidates.