DOI

The first synthesis of isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid derivatives by domino isoxazole-isoxazole isomerization is reported. Fe(II)-catalyzed isomerization of 4-acyl-5-methoxy-/5-aminoisoxazoles (dioxane, 105 °C) leads to the formation of isoxazole-4-carboxylic esters and amides in good yields. 4-Formyl-5-methoxyisoxazoles give methyl oxazole-4-carboxylates under the same reaction conditions. Fe(II)-catalyzed isomerization of 4-acyl-5-methoxyisoxazoles under milder conditions (MeCN, 50 °C) allows the preparation of transient 2-acyl-2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2H-azirines. The azirines isomerize quantitatively either into isoxazoles under catalytic conditions (dioxane, 105 °C) or into oxazoles under noncatalytic thermolysis (o-dichlorobenzene, 170 °C). The mechanism of the isomerization and dependence of the reaction routes on substituents at starting isoxazole core and reaction conditions are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15567-15577
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Organic Chemistry
Volume84
Issue number23
Early online date28 Oct 2019
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 Dec 2019

    Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry

    Research areas

  • NITRILE OXIDES, RING, REACTIVITY, CHLORIDES, OXAZOLES, PHOTOCHEMISTRY, CYCLOADDITION, CYCLIZATION, 2H-AZIRINES

ID: 49487604