Zinc-catalyzed reaction of isoxazoles with thioynol ethers involving an unprecedented 1,2-sulfur migration.

A novel zinc-catalyzed reaction of isoxazoles with thioynol ethers involving an unprecedented 1,2-sulfur migration has been developed, which represents the first example of a non-noble metal-catalyzed reaction between isoxazoles and alkynes. This method allows the facile and atom-economical synthesis of a range of valuable β-keto enamides. Moreover, the computational study provides further evidence for the feasibility of the proposed reaction mechanism.