Base-induced transformations of ortho-nitrobenzylketones: intramolecular displacement of nitro group versus nitro-nitrite rearrangement

Reactions of 4-bromo-5-nitrophthalonitrile (BNPN) with enolates of alkyl 4-R-2,4-dioxobutanoates gave alkyl 3-acyl-5,6-dicyanobenzofuran-2-carboxylates, 4-(2-R-2-oxoethyl)-5-nitrophthalonitriles, or 3-acyl-1,2-benzoxazole-5,6-dicarbonitriles. With a base, 4-(2-R-2-oxoethyl)-5-nitrophthalonitriles either undergo nitro-nitrite rearrangement resulting in 3-acyl-1,2-benzoxazole-5,6-dicarbonitriles or yield 2-R-benzofuran-5,6-dicarbonitriles with a nitro group displacement.