Efficient, microwave-assisted intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of oximes and N-methylnitrones derived from o-alkenylmethoxy-acetophenones

Abstract

Contrary to literature reports, the o-allyloxy- and crotyloxy-acetophenone-oximes (2a, 2b) are transformed to nitrones, which undergo regio- and stereoselective intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, both on microwave heating under solvent free conditions and refluxing in toluene, to afford novel cycloadducts (5a, 5b); the oxazepine-N-oxide (3a) reported to be formed in 98% yield was obtained only as a minor product (~10%). However, o-cinnamyloxy-acetophenone-oxime (2c) under similar conditions undergoes intramolecular N-alkylation to afford nitrone (3c). The reactions carried out under microwave irradiation are cleaner, require shorter reaction times, and have higher yields. Corresponding intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of N-methylnitrones (B), generated in situ from o-alkenylmethoxy-acetophenones (1a–1c) and N-methylhydroxylamine under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions, are completely regio- and stereoselective, require much shorter reaction times, and afford adducts (4a–4c) in higher yields, as compared with their thermal counterparts.Key words: cycloadditions, nitrones, oximes, o-alkenylmethoxy-acetophenones, microwave, isoxazolidines.