Preparation of β-hydroxyesters from isoxazolines. A selective Ni0bpy-catalyzed electrochemical method

An electrocatalytic method for the reductive N–O cleavage of isoxazolines is described. Ni0bpy, generated in situ, was used to promote selective ring opening of 3-methoxy-5-phenylisoxazoline (1a) and 3-methoxy-[4,5]cyclohexylisoxazoline (1b). DMF and NaI were used as solvent and supporting electrolyte, and β-hydroxyesters 2a and 2b were obtained in high yields respectively, after acid hydrolysis. β-Hydroxynitriles 3a and 3b were also identified as side products.