First synthesized in the 1800s,[4] oxazolidines are traditionally prepared by condensation of 2-aminoalcohols with aldehydes and ketones.

[11] The rings hydrolyze in the presence of moisture to give amine and hydroxyl groups, which can then react with diisocyanates, polyisocyanates and polyurethane prepolymers to form a coating.

The choice of linker between the two oxazolidine rings has a large impact on the performance when used to cure isocyanates.

These differences are the reason why bisoxazolidines are used to enhance the performance of polyurethane systems.

The hydroxy group on the molecule allows for further reaction with hexamethylene diisocyanate for example.