Table 1. Catalysts Screened for the Synthesis of Benzoxazole^a.

entry	catalyst	yieldb (%)
1	HCl	48
2	H3PO4	45
3	CF3COOH	39
4	MsOH	43
5	TsOH	51
6	AlCl3	55
7	FeCl3	43
8	CuCl2	45
9	HfCl4	39
10	Al2O3	31
11	Fe2O3	29
12	MgO	23
13	TiO2	28
14	BAIL	87
15	TEOS	0
16	BAIL gel	98

^aReaction conditions: benzaldehyde (1.0 mmol), 2-aminophenol (1.0 mmol).

^bIsolated yield.