Potassium phosphate-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 3-aryl-2-oxazolidinones from epoxides, amines, and atmospheric carbon dioxide

Potassium phosphate was found to be a highly active catalyst in the three-component cycloaddition of amines, epoxides, and carbon dioxide in DMF at ambient temperature to form 3-aryl-2-oxazolidinones. Atmospheric CO2 and a broad range of amines were employed in this transformation. Aryl isocyanate and 1,2-aminoalcohol were generated in situ as key intermediates. This one-pot reaction is applicable to a variety of terminal epoxides and amines. The key advantages are high yields, simple work-up, inexpensive catalysts, and a practical ten gram-scale synthesis.