Stable nitrile oxide dipolar cycloadditions in pure water

Naphtho[1,8-de][1,2]Oxazin-4-ol: Precursor to 1,2,8-Trisubstituted Naphthalenes and 1-Unsubstituted Naphtho[1,2-d]isoxazole 2-Oxide: A Novel Isomerization of the N-Oxide to Nitrile Oxide en Route to Isoxazol(in)es

Naphtho[1,8-de][1,2]oxazin-4-ol and its acyl or benzyl derivatives ring open to various 2,8-dihydroxy-1-naphthonitriles, which, through (de)protection protocols and reduction, afford the target (E)-2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde. This was converted to its corresponding oxime, which was oxidatively o-cyclized with phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) to 9-methoxynaphtho[1,2-d]isoxazole 2-oxide. The latter, in deuterated DMSO at room temperature, was rearranged to its isomer 2-hydroxy-8-methoxy(naphthalen-1-yl)nitrile oxide. The isomerization was detected by time-course plot 1H NMR spectroscopy and further identified from its 13C NMR and HRMS spectra. The nitrile oxide was stable in (non)deuterated DMSO for at least 18 h. A 3,4-bis(2-hydroxy-8-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide, as a dimerization product or an isocyanate as a rearrangement isomer, was ruled out, the former by its HRMS spectrum and the latter by its 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to substituted isoxazoles.

Environmentally Benign Lewis Acid Promoted [2+3]-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrile Imines with Alkenes in Water

Mild and environmentally benign Lewis acid promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-hydrazonyl chlorides with alkenes in water are reported. These α-hydrazonyl chlorides, in the presence of Lewis acids, generate nitrile imines in situ which react with dipolarophiles to furnish the corresponding cycloaddition products. In many cases, the required times for the completion of the Lewis acid promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions in water were comparable to the equivalent reactions performed in an organic solvent. Analogous tetrahexylammonium chloride promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions were also performed. The comparison of reaction times and cycloadduct yields for the aforementioned 1,3-dipolar reactions in aqueous and organic media as well as the proposed role of the Lewis acid in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction are described.