Use of Hypervalent Iodine in the Synthesis of Isomeric Dihydrooxazoles

[Figure not available: see fulltext.] A convenient synthesis of 2- and/or 3-oxazolines has been developed depending on the structure and stereochemistry of the starting amino alcohol. PhI(OAc)2acted as oxidant on the intermediate imine, as supported by NMR investigation. The findings demonstrate a new route providing access to unusual 3-oxazolines.