Met hod M. Anhydro-2-phenyl-3-hydroxyoxazolo [3, 2-a 1-pyridinium Hydroxide (39). A rapidly stirred solution of mandelic acid (7.6 g, 0.05 mol) in DMF (50 mL) was treated portionwise with NaH (5.1 g of 50% dispersion in mineral oil, 0.105 mol). When the evolution of hydrogen was complete, 2-bromopyridine (11.9 g, 0.075 mol) was added and the mixture heated at 90 “C for 6 h. Addition of Et20 to the cooled mixture gave a white solid that was ...