An environmentally benign synthesis of isoxazolines and isoxazoles mediated by potassium chloride in water

An effective and environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of isoxazolines and isoxazoles has been developed by a cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with alkenes or alkynes in water. In this approach, potassium chloride is first oxidized into chlorine in water by the environmentally friendly oxidant Oxone®, then aldoximes are oxidized into nitrile oxides by the in situ generated hypochlorous acid, finally a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between nitrile oxides and alkenes or alkynes occurs to provide the corresponding isoxazolines and isoxazoles in good yields.