Regioselective synthesis of 5-alkylthio- and 3-alkylthioisoxazoles from acylketene dithioacetals

Abstract

A regioselective synthesis of isomeric 5-alkylthio- and 3-alkylthioisoxazoles 3 and 4 has been developed from acylketene dithioacetals 2. Thus the reaction of 2a-l with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium methoxide in refluxing methanol afforded 3-substituted 5-alkylthioisoxazoles 3a-l in good yields. When compounds 2a-l were reacted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium acetate/acetic acid (pH 2.2) in refluxing ethanol/benzene, 3-alkylthioisoxazoles 4a-l were obtained regioselectively in good yields. Mass-spectral fragmentation and the mechanism of the formation of 3 and 4 are discussed.