A simpler and efficient “green” method using solid sodium hydroxide in a solvent mixture of acetone/water was found to catalyze N-acylation of 2(3H)-benzoxazolones and 2(3H)-benzothiazolones for facile and rapid synthesis of N-acyl derivatives in excellent yields. This method was applied to the synthesis of a series of 132 compounds employing a variety of acyl chlorides.
Guenadil, F., Aichaoui, H., Kapanda Nankwa, C., Lambert, D., McCurdy, C. R., & Poupaert, J. (2011). Design and synthesis of 3-acyl-2(3H)-benzoxazolone and 3-acyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone derivatives. Monatshefte für Chemie : an international journal of chemistry, 142(1), 67-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-010-0419-9 (Original work published 2011)