Synthesis of 3-methyl-4-arylmethylene isoxazole-5(4H)-ones by visible light in aqueous ethanol

A highly efficient methodology for the synthesis of 3-methyl-4-arylmethylene-isoxazole-5(4H)-ones has been developed by visible light induced multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and sodium acetate in aqueous ethanol sans any phase transfer catalyst or promoter.