Synthesis of pyrroles from isoxazoles by an O-to-C skeletal edit

TL;DR - Researchers developed a one-pot skeletal-editing reaction that converts isoxazoles into otherwise challenging pyrroles by replacing a ring oxygen atom with carbon. A computational model helps predict the reaction’s outcomes.

• The transformation performs an oxygen-to-carbon skeletal edit rather than rebuilding the heterocycle from scratch.
• The reaction proceeds through an N-propargylic enaminone intermediate.
• The one-pot method provides access to pyrroles that are difficult to synthesize using existing approaches.
• Computational prediction complements the reaction design by forecasting outcomes.