Four-Component Synthesis of Dithiocarbonyloxazolidines

Significance

Reported is the formation of dithiocarbonyloxazolidines through the four-component reaction of ethanolamine, ketone, carbon disulfide and alkyl halide. The oxazolidine ring is first formed and then reacts further with carbon disulfide and the alkyl halide to give the products shown. The role of the anhydrous potassium phosphate is not known for certain, but the authors postulate that it could have three roles: base, dehydrating agent and phase-transfer catalyst.