A synthetic route to novel 3-substituted-2,1-benzisoxazoles from 5-(2-nitrobenzylidene)(thio)barbiturates.

2,1-Benzisoxazoles, also called anthranils, are one of the two types of aromatic bicyclic heterocycles having a benzene ring fused with an isoxazole, which are particularly recognized as valuable intermediates in organic synthesis. Nevertheless several methods can be found in the literature to prepare 2,1-benzisoxazoles, we herein report a new, efficient, simple, mild, and alternative procedure to prepare 3-substituted-2,1-benzisoxazoles from 5-(2-nitrobenzylidene)barbiturates in moderate to good yields (51–82%). All the novel benzisoxazoles showed spectral data fully consistent with the assigned structures, which were unequivocally confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. A possible mechanism of the reaction is proposed. In addition, a screening of the bioactivity of these benzisoxazoles as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, antioxidants, and cytotoxic compounds was performed. The benzisoxazole formed from barbituric acid revealed moderate xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects (IC 50 = 22.10 μM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]