Effect of the aryl group substituent in the dimerization of 3-arylisoxazoles to syn 2,6-diaryl-3,7-diazatricyclo[4.2.0.02,5]octan-4,8-diones induced by LDA

3-Arylisoxazoles react with LDA in THF at 0 °C affording syn-2,6-diaryl-3,7-diazatricyclo[4.2.0.02,5]octan-4,8-diones (bis-azetidinones), via stereoselective dimerization of an azetinone anion intermediate. A fragmentation reaction affording arylnitriles may compete with electronic and steric effects of the substituent present in the aryl group being pivotal in determining the outcome of this reaction. An interesting behaviour with LDA of arylnitriles arising from the fragmentation reaction of some 3-arylisoxazoles was also observed. N,N-Diisopropylaminobenzonitriles were in fact formed (plausibly via a benzyne mechanism) from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)isoxazole and 3-(2-chlorophenyl)isoxazole, whereas 3-(2-methylphenyl)isoquinolin-1-amine was isolated starting from 3-(2-methylphenyl)isoxazole and LDA.