Oxazoles are heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing one oxygen atom and one nitrogen atom, separated by a carbon atom. The presence of two heteroatoms (oxygen and nitrogen) provides possible interactions (hydrogen, hydrophobic, van der Waals or dipole bonds) with a wide range of receptors and enzymes. Oxazole rings are valuable heterocyclic scaffolds for the design of novel therapeutics with anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and antidepressant properties due to their wide range of targets and biological activities.
Oxazolidines are five-membered ring compounds consisting of three carbons, nitrogen and oxygen. Oxygen and nitrogen are in the 1 and 3 positions, respectively. Oxazolidine is in general yellow or slightly yellow, alkaline liquid or solid, easily hydrolyzed by water or alcohol. It is insoluble in water (or hydrolyzed); soluble in benzene and chloroform. Oxazolidine derivatives are five-membered cyclic compounds containing at least one oxygen and nitrogen in their molecular structure. Oxazolidine derivatives are known to possess various therapeutic activities, such as anticancer and antibiotic properties.