A one-pot synthesis of 3-methyl-5-aryl-4H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-isoxazoles

Sharpless epoxidation of 4-amino-3-methyl-5-styrylisoxazoles 1 resulted in the formation of 3-methyl-5-aryl-4H-pyrrolo2,3-d]-isoxazoles 4 in a one-step reaction. The reaction initially involves epoxide formation, followed by ring-opening and cyclization. Finally dehydration leads to the title compounds. The pyrrolo2,3-d]-isoxazoles 4 were also synthesized via an alternative procedure.