Synthesis of alkyl aryl(heteroaryl)acetates from N-oxides, 1,1-difluorostyrenes, and alcohols.

Derivatives of aryl(heteroaryl)acetic acids or aryl(heteroaryl)methanes are formed from imidazole or thiazole N-oxide, 1,1-difluorostyrene, and an alcohol, amine, or water in a three-component reaction, which probably occurs via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The whole process is a novel method for functionalization of a heterocyclic ring in a position originally occupied by hydrogen. Preliminary experiments show that it occurs for 6-membered N-oxides as well.