This review presents a survey of preparations and biological activities of substituted benzoxazoles. The structural similarity of benzoxazole derivatives with nucleic bases, such as adenine andguanine, probably allows their easy interaction with biopolymers in the living systems. Consequent- ly, these compounds posses a wide range of biological activities. Their preparation includes cyclocondensation reactions and contractions of ortho-fused heterocycles or their photochemical rearrangement. They are being studied predominantly for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor activities, and also as insecticides, herbicides, anthelmintics, histamine antagonists, and fluorescent dyes.

        Key words: benzoxazole – 2-aminophenol – biological activity – antimicrobial activity