Copper-Catalyzed Annulation Reaction of Alkenes and N‑Alkyl(aryl)-1-(methylthio)-2-nitroethenamine: an Approach for the Synthesis of Isoxazole Derivatives

A copper-catalyzed annulation reaction to access a variety of isoxazoles from alkenes and oxazete in situ generated from N-alkyl­(aryl)-1-(methylthio)-2-nitroethenamine was reported. A plausible mechanism underlying the formation of the product was proposed, which represented a new approach for the construction of isoxazolines. This reaction was capable of tolerating alkenes bearing various substituents, which showed a relatively broad substrate scope with good functional group compatibility.