Synthesis of 3- and 5-amino-5-(3)-(pyrrol-2-yl)isoxazoles

5-Amino-3-(pyrrol-2-yl)isoxazoles were selectively prepared by the reaction of 2-(2,2-dicyano-1-ethylthioethenyl)pyrroles with hydroxylamine in methanol. Under analogous conditions, 2-(2-carbamoyl-2-cyano-1-ethylthioethenyl) pyrroles with hydroxylamine gave 5-aminoisoxazoles and their structural isomers, 3-aminoisoxazoles (3–5% yield). The latter were selectively prepared by reacting 2-(2-carbamoyl-2-cyano-1-ethylthioethenyl)pyrroles with hydroxylamine in the presence of aqueous NaOH and from the products of intramolecular cyclization of 2-(2-carbamoyl-2-cyano-1-ethylthioethenyl)pyrroles, 1-ethylthio-3-iminopyrrolizines and hydroxylamine.