Research on heterocyclic compounds. XIII. Synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-3-isoxazoleacetic acid and related compounds

Some new 4,5-dihydro-5-oxoisoxazole derivatives were synthesized as part of a study to prepare potential antiinflammatory agents. The reaction of the diethyl ester of 3-oxopentanedioic acid with hydroxylamine afforded the 3-hydroxyimino derivative, which was then cyclized to the title compound. This reacted with diazomethane to give a couple of isomeric methyl derivatives, namely methyl 2,5-dihydro-2-methyl-5-oxo-3-isoxazoleacetate and methyl 5-methoxy-3-isoxazoleacetate. Reaction of these compounds with ammonia gave the corresponding acetamides. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, uv, ir, and ¹H-nmr spectra.