Cu-mediated annulations of N-hydroxyallylamines with nitrosoarenes proceed through unprecedented formal [3+2] cycloadditions of N-hydroxyaminoallyl radicals with nitrosoarenes. Our mechanistic analysis opposes a 5-endo-trig cyclization involved in the final ring-closure step. To manifest the reaction utility, chemical elaborations of resulting isoxazolidinyl products into 2- or 3-substituted quinoline N-oxides and acyclic 1,3-diamino-2-ols are also described.
Keywords: annulation; copper; nitrosoarenes; oxidants; radicals.
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