An Innovative Protocol for the Synthesis of 3‐(Pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles and 9,10‐Dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles

Herein, we present an innovative, novel, and highly convenient protocol for the synthesis of 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ) and 9,10‐dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles ( 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e ), which have been delineated from the reaction of 4‐sec‐amino‐2‐oxo‐6‐aryl‐2H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g ) and 4‐sec‐amino‐2‐oxo‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[h]chromene‐3‐carbonitriles ( 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , 9e ) with 2‐acetylpyridine ( 5 ) through the ring transformation reaction by using KOH/DMF system at RT. The salient feature of this procedure is to provide a transition metal‐free route for the synthesis of asymmetrical 1,3‐teraryls like 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ) and 9,10‐dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles ( 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e ). The novelty of the reaction lies in the creation of an aromatic ring from 2H‐pyran‐2‐ones and 2H‐benzo[h]chromene‐3‐carbonitriles via two‐carbon insertion from 2‐acetylpyridine ( 5 ) used as a source of carbanion.     

An efficient synthesis of 5‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐(5‐methyl‐1‐p‐tolyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐1‐(4‐phenylthiazol‐2‐yl)pyrazoles

Some new target products 5‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐(5‐methyl‐1‐p‐tolyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐1‐(4‐phenylthiazol‐2‐yl)pyrazoles 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j have been synthesized by reaction of 2‐bromo‐1‐phenylethanone and compounds 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j which were prepared from the combination of thiosemicarbazide and (E)‐3‐aryl‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐p‐tolyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j . All the structures were established by MS, IR, CHN, and ¹H NMR spectra data. Synthesis of structure diversity is applied. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Synthesis of 1‐methyl‐, 4‐nitro‐, 4‐amino‐and 4‐iodo‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones

4‐Aminopyrazole‐3‐ones 4b, e, f were prepared from pyrazole‐3‐ones 1b‐d in a four‐step reaction sequence. Reaction of the latter with methyl p‐toluenesulfonate gave 1‐methylpyrazol‐3‐ones 2b‐d . Compounds 2b‐d were treated with aqueous nitric acid to give 4‐nitropyrazol‐3‐ones 3b‐d. Reduction of compounds 3b‐d by catalytic hydrogenation with Pd‐C afforded the 4‐amino compounds 4b, e, f. Using similar reaction conditions, nitropyrazole‐3‐ones derivatives 2c, d were reduced into aminopyrazole‐3‐ones 5e, f. 4‐Iodopyrazole‐3‐ones 7a, 7c and 8 were prepared from the corresponding pyrazol‐3‐ones 2a, 2c and 6 and iodine monochloride or sodium azide and iodine monochloride.     

Synthesis of Novel 3‐(3‐(5‐Methylisoxazol‐3‐yl)‐7H‐[1,2,4]Triazolo [3,4‐b][1,3,4]Thiadiazin‐6‐yl)‐2H‐Chromen‐2‐Ones

A novel series of coumarin substituted triazolo‐thiadiazine derivatives were designed and synthesized by using 5‐methyl isoxazole‐3‐carboxylic acid ( 1 ), thiocarbohydrazide ( 2 ), and various substituted 3‐(2‐bromo acetyl) coumarins ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4e , 4d , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j ). Fusion of 5‐methyl isoxazole‐3‐carboxylic acid with thiocarbohydrazide resulted in the formation of the intermediate 4‐amino‐5‐(5‐methylisoxazol‐3‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol ( 3 ). This intermediate on further reaction with substituted 3‐(2‐bromo acetyl) coumarins under simple reaction conditions formed the title products 3‐(3‐(5‐methylisoxazol‐3‐yl)‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazin‐6‐yl‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j ) in good to excellent yields. All the synthesized compounds were well characterized by physical, analytical, and spectroscopic techniques.     

New N‐(Aryl)‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa/Thiadiazol‐2‐amines and 4‐Aryl‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones,Synthesis and Characterization

In this study, methyl 2‐(quinolin‐8‐yloxy) acetate ( 2 ) obtained by reaction of 8‐hydroxyquinoline ( 1 ) with methyl chloroacetate was condensed with hydrazine hydrate to afford the carbohydrazide ( 3 ). Thio/semicarbazide derivatives ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g ) were obtained by treatment of the 3 with substituted phenyl iso/thioisocyanates. The 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g on acidic and basic intramolecular cyclization led to N‐(aryl)‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa/thiadiazol‐2‐amines ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g ) and 4‐aryl‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ), respectively. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The thiosemicarbazide ( 4c ) was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of new regioisomeric 6,7‐dihydroindeno[1,2‐e]pyrimido[4,5‐b][1,4]diazepin‐5(5aH)‐ones

Novel 11‐amino‐6‐aryl‐6,7‐dihydroindeno[1,2‐e] pyrimido[4,5‐b][1,4]diazepin‐5(5aH)‐ones 4a‐f were prepared regioselectively by the tricomponent reaction of 4,5,6‐triaminopyrimidine 1, 1,3‐indandione 2 and aromatic aldehydes 3a‐f. The bicomponent approach, using 2,4,5,6‐tetraaminopyrimidine 5 and 2‐aryl‐ideneindandiones 6a‐f as reagents, afforded 9,11‐diamino‐6‐aryl‐6,7‐dihydroindeno[1,2‐e]pyrimido[4,5‐b]‐[1,4]diazepin‐5(5aH)‐ones 7a‐f in good yields and the regioisomeric 8,10‐diamino derivatives 8a‐c in lower yields. Both, bi‐ and tricomponent approaches were performed by microwave irradiation and all products were fully characterized by detailed NMR measurements.     

Reaction of cyclic imidates with α,β‐unsaturated esters: Synthesis of new pyrrolo[2,1‐b]‐1,3‐oxazine and pyrido[2,1‐b]‐1,3‐oxazine derivatives

The cycloaddition reaction of cyclic imidates, 2‐benzyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐1,3‐oxazines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f , with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate 2 , trimethyl ethylenetricarboxylate 4 , or dimethyl 2‐(methoxymethylene)malonate 6 afforded new fused heterocyclic compounds, such as methyl (6‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrolo[2,1‐b]‐1,3‐oxazin‐7‐ylidene)acetates 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f (71–79%), dimethyl 2‐(6‐oxo‐3,4,6,7‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyrrolo[2,1‐b]‐1,3‐oxazin‐7‐yl)malonates 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f (43–71%), or methyl 6‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H,6H‐pyrido[2,1‐b]‐1,3‐oxazine‐7‐carboxylates 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d , 7e , 7f (32–59%), respectively. In these reactions, 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f (cyclic imidates, iminoethers) functioned as their N,C‐tautomers (enaminoethers) 2 to α,β‐unsaturated esters 2 , 4, and 6 to give annulation products 3 , 5 , and 7 following to the elimination of methanol, respectively. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

A Novel Diastereoselective Synthesis of 6‐Aryl‐5‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazol‐4(1H)‐ones

A novel one‐pot diastereoselective synthesis of trans‐6‐aryl‐5‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dihydro[2,3‐c]pyrazol‐4(1H)‐ones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h is described via the Darzens condensation reaction of 2‐chloro‐1‐(5‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)ethanone ( 2 ) with different aromatic aldehydes in aqueous basic medium. The structures of the compounds prepared were determined by analytical and spectral analyses.     

A convenient one‐pot synthesis of new 3‐(4‐aryl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones

Anhydrous zinc bromide catalysed reactions of arylidine‐3‐acetyl coumarins ( 1a‐c ) and 5,6‐benzoanalogs of arylidine 3‐acetyl coumarins ( 4a,4b ) with 1,3‐cyclohexanedione gives ‐(4‐aryl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 3a, 3c ) and 5,6‐benzoanalogs of 3‐(4‐aryl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one ( 5a,5b ). Under similar conditions arylidine‐3‐acetylcoumarins ( 1a, 1b,1d, 1e, 1f ) and 5,6‐benzoanalog of arylidine 3‐acetyl coumarin ( 4b ) react with 5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione (dimedone) yielding 3‐(4‐aryl‐7,7‐dimethyl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 3d‐3h ) and the 5,6‐benzoanalog of 3.(4‐aryl‐7,7‐dimethyl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one ( 5c ).     

Novel regioselective synthesis of 3′H,4H‐spiro[chromene‐3,2′‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol]‐4‐one containing compounds

A variety of 3″,5″‐diaryl‐3″H,4′H‐dispiro[cyclohexane‐1,2′‐chromene‐3′,2″‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol]‐4′‐ones 3a‐c were synthesized regioselectively through the reaction of 4′H,5H‐trispiro[cyclohexane‐1,2′‐chromene‐3′,2″‐[1,3,4]oxadithiino[5,6‐c]chromene‐5″,1″′‐cyclohexan]‐4′‐one ( 1 ) with nitrilimines (generated in situ via triethylamine dehydrohalogenation of the corresponding hydrazonoyl chlorides 2a‐c ) in refluxing dry toluene. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of 3a,b add support for the established structure. Similarly, 3′,5′‐diaryl‐2,2‐dimethyl‐3′H,4H‐spiro[chromene‐3,2′‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol]‐4‐ones 5a‐c were obtained in a regioselective manner through the reaction of 2,2,5′,5′‐tetramethyl‐4H,5′H‐spiro[chromene‐3,2′‐[1,3,4]oxadithiino[5,6‐c]chromen]‐4‐one ( 4a ) with nitrilimines under similar reaction conditions. On the other hand, reaction of 2,5′‐diethyl‐2,5′‐dimethyl‐4H,5′H‐spiro[chromene‐3,2′‐[1,3,4]oxadithiino‐[5,6‐c]chromen]‐4‐one ( 4b ) with nitrilimines in refluxing dry toluene afforded the corresponding 3′,5′‐diaryl‐2‐ethyl‐2‐methyl‐3′H,4H‐spiro[chromene‐3,2′‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol]‐4‐ones 5d‐f as two unisolable diastereoisomeric forms.     

Regioselective synthesis of pentacyclic polyheterocycles: Sequential [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of 4‐(4′‐aryloxybut‐2′‐ynyloxy)‐1‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐ones

A number of 4‐aryloxymethyl‐6‐phenyl‐2H‐pyrano[3,2‐c][1,8]naphthyridin‐5(6H)‐ones ( 4a‐f ) are regioselectively synthesized in 72‐78% yield by the Claisen rearrangement of 4‐(4′‐aryloxybut‐2′‐ynyloxy)‐1‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐ones ( 3a‐f ) in refluxing chlorobenzene for 4‐6 h. These products are then subjected to a second Claisen rearrangement catalyzed by anhydrous AlCl₃ at room temperature for 2 h to give hitherto unreported pentacyclic heterocycles ( 5a‐f ) in 78‐85% yield.     

A “One Pot,” Environmentally Friendly,Multicomponent Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐5‐cyano‐4‐[(2‐aryl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐6‐hydroxypyrimidines and Their Antimicrobial Activity

A series of multifunctional 2‐amino‐5‐cyano‐4‐[(2‐aryl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐6‐hydroxypyrimidines ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f ) was synthesized by multicomponent reaction of 3‐formylindole ( 1 ), cyanoethylacetate ( 2 ), and guanidine hydrochloride ( 3 ) with NaOH by using green chemical techniques, viz. microwave irradiation and grindstone technology. The same reactants when refluxed in ethanol also gave titled compounds ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f ). Compared with conventional procedure, the reaction can be carried out under milder conditions, requiring a shorter reaction time and giving higher yields following the green chemistry methodology. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass). All synthesized compounds were also evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against nine pathogenic bacteria, antifungal activity against Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium oxysporum and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different concentrations. Most of the compounds showed mild to moderate activity.     

Synthesis of 2‐imino‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐ones and their reactions with nucleophiles

[2‐Alkylthio‐6‐methyl‐4‐oxopyrimidin‐3(4H)‐yl]acetonitriles ( 3‐5 ) treated with sodium methoxide in methanol followed by ammonium chloride were cyclized to 2‐imino‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidin‐5(1H)‐ones ( 6‐8 ). Under acid or base‐catalyzed hydrolysis they were converted to 7‐methyl‐imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐2,5‐[1H,3H]‐diones ( 9‐11 ), whereas in the reaction with butyl‐ or benzylamine the corresponding 7‐methyl‐2‐(substitutedamino)imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐5(3H)‐ones ( 13‐18 ) were produced. The latter were found to exist in two tautomeric forms in CDCl₃ solution.     

Synthesis of 2‐Arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones by N‐Aryl Benzamidines with Aromatic Carbonates

The reaction of N‐aryl benzamidines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f , 1g , 1h , 1i , 1j , 1k , 1l , 1m , 1n with diphenyl carbonate 2a or ethyl phenyl carbonate 2b synthesized 2‐arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l , 3m , 3n in simple and safe process with good yields (71–90%). It was suggested that different electron‐donating substituent in N‐aryl benzamidines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f , 1g , 1h , 1i , 1j , 1k , 1l , 1m , 1n afforded similar effect to the yields of 2‐arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l , 3m , 3n . In these reactions, N‐aryl benzamidines 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f , 1g , 1h , 1i , 1j , 1k , 1l , 1m , 1n built up intermediate compounds by nucleophilic addition to carbonates 2 to give annulation products 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l , 3m , 3n , following to cyclization involving the elimination of ethanol/phenol.     

Synthesis of benzo[b][1,4]thiazepines by the reaction of 3‐aryl‐1‐(3‐coumarinyl)propen‐1‐ones with 2‐aminothiophenol

3‐(2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐benzo[b][1,4]thiazepin‐4‐yl)chromen‐2‐ones ( 2a, e, f ) and (Z)‐3‐(2,3‐dihydro‐2‐arylbenzo[b][1,4]thiazepin‐4(5H)‐ylidene)chroman‐2‐ones ( 3a‐f ) have been synthesized by the reaction of 3‐aryl‐1‐(3‐coumarinyl)propen‐1‐ones ( 1a‐f ) with 2‐aminothiophenol in a hot mixture of toluene and acetic acid. Structures of all new compounds and their complete ¹H and ¹³C assignments were achieved applying different one‐ and two‐dimensional nmr experiments in combination with various spectroscopic techniques.     

Synthesis of 1‐acyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones VIA lewis acid‐mediated rearrangement of 3‐acyloxypyrazoles

The unusual formation of 1‐acyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones starting from 3‐acyloxypyrazoles by Fries‐type rearrangement is described. Under normal conditions, acylation of 2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones 1 and 2 with acid chlorides or anhydrides in the presence of triethylamine gave the corresponding 3‐acyloxypyrazoles 3a‐f and 4a‐f . Treatment of 3a‐c and 4a‐f with Lewis acid, e.g. titanium(IV) chloride and tin(IV) chloride, caused migration of acyl groups to afford the corresponding 1‐acyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones 5a‐c and 6a‐f . Interestingly, the reactions of 3‐acyloxypyrazoles 3e and 3f with tin(IV) chloride provided the corresponding tin(IV) complexes 8e and 8f .     

Synthesis of a novel class of 3‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones under solvent‐free and catalyst‐free conditions

A solvent‐ and catalyst‐free one‐pot three‐component condensation reaction approach was developed for the synthesis of a new class of 3‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones in relatively good yields.     

A Novel Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐6‐bromo‐3‐(5‐ethylthio‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolin‐9(4H)‐ones via Thermal Cyclization of 4‐Azidopyrazoles

2‐Aryl‐hydrazononitriles 3a , 3b , 3c were prepared by coupling 3‐ethylthio‐5‐cyanomethyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1 ) with diazonium salts 2a , 2b , 2c . Reacting 3a , 3b , 3c with both ethyl bromoacetate ( 4a ) and 4‐bromobenzyl bromide ( 4b ) in DMF, in the presence of K₂CO₃, at 80 °C for 3–4 h, gave the corresponding 4‐amino‐pyrazoles 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f . Diazotization of 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , followed by reaction with NaN₃, leads to the formation of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8a , 8b , 8c , 8d , 8e , 8f , a new heterocyclic ring system. Interestingly, fusion of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8d , 8e , 8f at temperature higher than their melting points with 5 °C for 2 min did not give the expected fused pyrazolo[4,3‐c]isoxazoles 9 but furnished instead the novel pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolinones 10a , 10b , 10c , in high yields.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 7‐aryl‐5,6‐dihydro‐14‐aza[1]benzopyrano[3,4‐b]phenanthren‐8H‐ones

The title compounds, 7‐aryl‐5,6‐dihydro‐14‐aza[1]benzopyrano[3,4‐b]phenanthren‐8H‐ones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l have been synthesized by reacting various 4‐hydroxy coumarins 1a , 1b , 1c with 2‐arylidene‐1‐tetralones 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d in the presence of ammonium acetate and acetic acid under Krohnke's reaction condition. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were supported by analytical, IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR data. All the synthesized compounds 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l have been screened for their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (Gram ?ve bacteria), Bacillus subtilis (Gram +ve bacteria), and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (Fungi). J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of Novel 4‐Acyl‐2,5‐disubstituted‐3‐hydroxypyrazoles and 4‐Arylcarbonyl‐3‐substitutedisoxazol‐5‐ones

Two series of novel 4‐acyl‐2,5‐disubstituted‐3‐hydroxypyrazoles 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h and 4‐arylcarbonyl‐3‐substitutedisoxazol‐5‐ones 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d , 7e , 7f , 7g , 7h , 7i were synthesized by the Scotton–Baumann reaction of 2,5‐disubstituted‐2,4‐dihydro‐pyrazol‐3‐ones 1 or 3‐substituted‐4H‐isoxazol‐5‐ones 6 and various acyl chlorides, followed by the Fries rearrangement in the presence of calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide as the catalyst. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. ¹H NMR indicated that compounds 3 existed in enol forms and compounds 7 in keto configurations. The results of preliminary bioassays showed that some of the title compounds 3 and 7 exhibited moderate to good herbicidal activities against Brassica campestris L. at the concentration of 100 mg/L. Isoxazole compounds 7 showed better herbicidal activity against B. campestris L. than pyrazole compounds 3 did at the concentration of 100 mg/L. Moreover, most of the isoxazole compounds displayed higher herbicidal activity against B. campestris L. than Echinochloa crus‐galli. However, these compounds showed weak herbicidal activities at the concentration of 10 mg/L.