Iron-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Amides and 2,3-Diaryl-2H-azirines To Access Oxazoles via C–N Bond Cleavage

A novel and efficient iron-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction using readily available 2,3-diaryl-2H-azirines and primary amides is reported. A wide range of trisubstituted oxazoles could be achieved in good yields with good functional group compatibility. In this transformation, two C–N bonds were cleaed and new C–N and C–O bonds were formed.