What is the Difference Between Oxazole and Isoxazole?

Oxazole and isoxazole are organic compounds that have the same chemical formula, C3H3NO, but different chemical structures, making them isomers of each other. The key difference between oxazole and isoxazole lies in the arrangement of the nitrogen and oxygen atoms:

• Oxazole: Has a nitrogen atom and an oxygen atom separated by one carbon atom.
• Isoxazole: Has a nitrogen atom and an oxygen atom adjacent to each other.

In terms of acidity, oxazole has a pKa value of 0.8, while isoxazole has a pKa value of -3.0. Both compounds are found in various natural products and have been used in the development of medicinal chemistry.

Comparative Table: Oxazole vs Isoxazole

The key difference between oxazole and isoxazole lies in the arrangement of their atoms. Both compounds have the same chemical formula, C3H3NO, but their structures are different:

• Oxazole: A nitrogen atom and an oxygen atom separated by one carbon atom.
• Isoxazole: A nitrogen atom and an oxygen atom adjacent to each other.

Here is a summary of their differences in a tabular format:

Both oxazole and isoxazole are organic compounds with the same molecular mass, making them isomers of each other. Their acidity differs, with oxazole having a pKa value of 0.8 and isoxazole having a pKa value of -3.0.