Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of some 2-aryl-6-benzoxazoleacetic acid derivatives

Various approaches to the synthesis of 2-aryl-6-substituted benzoxazoles are described. The products, which included the 6-methyl derivative 4a, ethylamines 10 and 19, ethanols 12 and 14, the acetic and alpha-methylacetic acids 9 and 16a--f, and the acetic ester 11, were screened for antiinflammatory activity on the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test. Some of the compounds possessed activity superior to that of phenylbutazone and of the same order as that of benoxaprofen.