Facile synthesis of 2-alkyl/aryloxy-2H-azirines and their application in the synthesis of pyrroles

Free carbenes generated from alpha-diazo oxime ethers by photolysis undergo facile N-O insertion to afford 2-alkyl/aryloxy-2H-azirines in good to excellent yields. This method allowed for the development of a tandem reaction for pyrrole synthesis via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.