[(Salcen)Cr(III) + Lewis base]-catalyzed synthesis of N-aryl-substituted oxazolidinones from epoxides and aryl isocyanates.

[(Salcen)Cr(III) + Lewis base] was found to be a highly active and selective catalyst system in the [2+3] cycloaddition between epoxides and isocyanates to form 5-oxazolidinones. The reaction proceeds to high yield under mild reaction conditions and is applicable to a variety of terminal epoxides and aryl isocyanates.