4-Nitrophenol → 5-Methyl-3-(4-nitrophenoxymethyl)isoxazole

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a dry reaction flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a magnetic stirring bar and a rubber septum with a N2 inlet was placed 4-nitrophenol (2, X═H) (1.57 g, 11.36 mmol), anhydrous K2CO3 (1.58 g, 12 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium iodide (200 mg) in dry acetone (100 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. To this heterogeneous mixture was added 3-(bromomethyl)-5-methylisoxazole (2.0 g 11.36 mmol) at room temperature and then the reaction mixture was refluxed for over night. After cooling it to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered, washed with acetone (50 mL) and the combined filtrates were concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting solid was purified by silica gel column, eluted with hexanes then polarity was increased gradually up to 40% EtOAc in hexanes to give 2.59 g (97%) of the desired 5-methyl-3-(4-nitrophenoxymethyl)isoxazole (3, X═H). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 8.19 (d, 2H, J=9.3 Hz), 7.04 (d, 2H, J=9.6 Hz), 6.18 (s, 1H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 2.44 (s, 3H); LCMS (m/z): 235 (MH+).

Provenance & Evidence