Naphtho[1,8-][1,2]Oxazin-4-ol: Precursor to 1,2,8-Trisubstituted Naphthalenes and 1-Unsubstituted Naphtho[1,2-]isoxazole 2-Oxide: A Novel Isomerization of the -Oxide to Nitrile Oxide to Isoxazol(in)es.

Naphtho[1,8-][1,2]oxazin-4-ol and its acyl or benzyl derivatives ring open to various 2,8-dihydroxy-1-naphthonitriles, which, through (de)protection protocols and reduction, afford the target ()-2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde. This was converted to its corresponding oxime, which was oxidatively -cyclized with phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) to 9-methoxynaphtho[1,2-]isoxazole 2-oxide. The latter, in deuterated DMSO at room temperature, was rearranged to its isomer 2-hydroxy-8-methoxy(naphthalen-1-yl)nitrile oxide. The isomerization was detected by time-course plot H NMR spectroscopy and further identified from its C NMR and HRMS spectra. The nitrile oxide was stable in (non)deuterated DMSO for at least 18 h. A 3,4-bis(2-hydroxy-8-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide, as a dimerization product or an isocyanate as a rearrangement isomer, was ruled out, the former by its HRMS spectrum and the latter by its 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to substituted isoxazoles.