KI-catalyzed reactions of aryl hydrazines with α-oxocarboxylic acids in the presence of CO2: access to 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones

Abstract

A novel KI-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones from aryl hydrazines, α-oxocarboxylic acids and CO₂ was reported. This process could effectively utilize CO₂ from the decarboxylation of α-oxocarboxylic acids and afford the target products in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. It was demonstrated that the active IO⁻ ions from the reaction of KI and TBHP oxidant played an important role in this transformation, and the reaction did not involve a free radical process.