Base-Promoted [3+2]-Annulation of Oxime Esters and Aldehydes for Rapid Isoxazoline Formation

A base-promoted [3+2]-annulation of ketoxime esters and aldehydes is disclosed for the facile and rapid synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazolines. The key to our success is the pivalate leaving group of oxime substrates, combined with cesium carbonate as promoter. This chemistry allows the assembly of a vast array of isoxazoline derivatives under simple base conditions in a method complementary to the classic isoxazoline formation via [3+2]-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides and olefins. It also represents a new reaction pattern involving electrophilic amination/N–O bond substitution.