Synthesis of N-Alkyl-1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzisoxazoles

We describe a practical method for the synthesis of various substituted N-alkyl-1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzisoxazoles and their 2,1-benzisoxazolone precursors starting from readily available methyl 2-nitrobenzoates. The method entails partial nitro reduction with hydrazine and rhodium on carbon to give the hydroxylamines, followed by base-mediated cyclization to give the corresponding benzisoxazol-3(1H)-ones. Subsequent alkylation is conducted under basic conditions and is followed by reduction to the target 1,3-dihydrobenzisoxazoles, achieved with lithium aluminum hydride in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride.