-Butyl Carbonate as a Nucleophile in Epoxide Ring Opening: A Cascade Synthesis of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)oxazolidin-2-one.

We report an efficient and scalable synthesis of 5-(hydroxymethyl)oxazolidin-2-ones using -butyl carbonate as a nucleophile in a BocO-mediated epoxide ring-opening cascade. Optimization identified EtN as key to high yields, with electron-withdrawing aryl groups further enhancing efficiency (up to 91%). Mechanistic studies support the nucleophilic role of -butyl carbonate. This versatile method enables access to pharmaceutically relevant compounds, including intermediates for Linezolid, highlighting its value in medicinal chemistry.