A DFT study for the regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrile N-oxides toward alkynylboronates

The mechanism for the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of benzonitrile oxide toward ethynyl and propynylboronate has been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G* level. These cycloadditions are concerted [3+2] processes. The presence of the two oxygens on the boronic ester precludes the participation of the boron atom on [3+3] processes. The two regioisomeric channels associated to the formation of the isoxazoles bearing the boronic ester unit on the 4- or 5-positions have been characterized. The B3LYP/6-31G* activation parameters are in acceptable agreement with the experiments, allowing to explain the factors controlling these regioselective cycloadditions.