Lewis Acid Catalyzed Annulation of Nitrones with Oxiranes, Aziridines, and Thiiranes

A highly selective Lewis acid catalyzed annulation of three-membered heterocycles with nitrones has been developed. Oxiranes, aziridines, and thiiranes were used as substrates for the synthesis of various six-membered heterocycles using Al or In catalysts. This catalytic protocol demonstrates a broad substrate scope and provides access to new structural motifs in high yields and in excellent selectivity under mild reaction conditions.