The synthesis of the fully functionalized tris-oxazole fragment 9 found in marine metabolites kabiramide C and halichondramide is reported employing modified Hantzsch methodology. Starting with the condensation reaction between cinnamamide 1 and ethyl bromopyruvate 2, the synthetic sequence leading to 9 was carried out in 13 steps with an overall yield of 26%. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.