Ring Expansion and 1,2-Migration Cascade of Benzisoxazoles with Ynamides: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Demonstrated herein is an AuI -catalyzed annulation of sulfonyl-protected ynamides with substituted 1,2-benzisoxazoles for the synthesis of E-benzo[e][1,3]oxazine derivatives. The transformation involves the addition of benzisoxazole to the gold-activated ynamide, ring expansion of the benzisoxazole fragment to provide an α-imino vinylic gold intermediate, and 1,2-migration of the sulfonamide motif to the masked carbene center to deliver the respective ring-expanded benzo[e][1,3]oxazine of predominant E configuration. A trapping experiment justifies the participation of the α-imino masked gold carbene. DFT computations also support the hypothesized mechanism and rationalize the product stereoselectivity.