An　elemental　tellurium　mediated　synthesis　of　2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles　from　the　reaction　of　acetophenone　oxime　acetates　with　trifluoroacetic　anhydride　has　been　developed.　This　new　tandem　cyclization　proceeds　in　good　to　excellent　yields　via　a　SET　reduction　followed　by　a　5-endo-trig　pathway.　Some　of　the　title　compounds　showed　fungicidal　and　insecticidal　activities.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.