When aminoalcohols, RNH (CRI), OH, in which R is H, alkyl or aryl and n is 2 or 3, are treated with alkyl vinyl ethers in the presence of mercuric salts of weak acids or silver salts such as silver nitrate or silver acetate, there are formed in good yield 2-methyloxazolidines (I, n= 2) or 2-methyltetrahydro-1, 3-oxazines (I, n= 3). Similarly, l, a-diamines, treated u ith alkyl vinyl ethers with the same catalysts, give 2-methylimidazolidines (11). These new ...