A series of oxazole derivatives, 5-methyl-2-(p-methylphenyl)-4-acetyl oxazole (MMPAO), 5- methyl-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-4-acetyl oxazole (MOPAO), 5-methyl-2-(pN, N′-dimethylamino- phenyl)-4-acetyl oxazole (MDMAPAO) and 5-methyl-2-(pN, N′-diphenylaminophenyl)-4- acetyl oxazole (MDPAPAO) have been synthesized and studied to compare their photophysical properties. The UV–visible absorption spectra of MDMAPAO and ...