Reactions of 5-Aminoisoxazoles with α-Diazocarbonyl Compounds: Wolff Rearrangement vs N-H Insertion.

A highly chemoselective reaction between 5-aminoisoxazoles and alpha-diazocarbonyl compounds has been described. Both Wolff rearrangement and N-H insertion products can be obtained selectively by the judicious choice of reaction conditions. In the case of the Wolff rearrangement reactions, the N-isoxazole amides are accessed as the sole products under thermal conditions. On the other hand, alpha-amino acid derivatives of N-isoxazolescan be obtained through N-H insertion reactions in the presence of catalytic Rh-2(Oct)(4). Both reactions proceed under mild reaction conditions and feature a broad substrate scope.