SnCl2-catalyzed multicomponent coupling: synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidine derivatives using paraformaldehyde as a C1 feedstock†

SnCl₂ catalyzed the three-component coupling of aniline, epoxide, and paraformaldehyde, resulting in the synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidine derivatives. The reaction is simple and does not require any additives, bases, or oxidants, and proceeds at moderate temperature with good functional group tolerance. The scope of the utilization of paraformaldehyde as the methylene source was further extended to the synthesis of benzothiazole and 4,4′-methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline) using the same catalyst. A catalytic pathway was proposed based on the control experiments.