1,3-Cycloaddition of nitrones in ionic liquids catalyzed by Er(III): an easy access to isoxazolidines

1, 3-Dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones with alkenes afforded the corresponding isoxazolidines in ionic liquids in the presence of Er(OTf)(3). The ionic liquid and the catalyst are recycled up to five times without any specific treatment or loss of activity. Extension of the procedure to the synthesis of isoxazolidinyl nucleosides has been investigated. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.