The goal of this research project was to synthesize a small library of 3- and 5-arylisoxazoles. These compounds are of interest because of potential biological activity similar to Fipronil. Fipronil is used commercially in the agrochemical industry and exhibits pesticidal activity as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the GABA receptor. By deleting the amino group normally at the 5-position and the cyano group normally at the 3-position and changing the atoms in the heterocyclic ring from containing two nitrogen atoms to one nitrogen and one oxygen atom, we hope to create changes in the binding so the geometry of the GABA receptor may be better understood.The synthesis of our target compounds consisted of many steps. First, brominated intermediates were made from commercially available compounds. The brominated intermediates were converted to aldehydes, which then produced oximes. The oximes were then combined with alkynes through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to form the arylisoxazoles. / Department of Chemistry

This thesis, largely describing diverse studies in organic synthesis, is divided into three parts. Part I, titled ‘Heterocycles’, describes in two chapters studies directed towards elaborating certain thiazole and oxazole derivatives as useful synthons. Part II, titled ‘Hydride transfers’, describes in two chapters synthetic and some mechanistic studies involving the Cannizzaro and Tishchenko reactions, apart from work with chirally-modified alumino and borohydride reagents. Finally, Part III, titled ‘Miscellaneous studies’, describes structural studies on cyclic carbonates. (For structural formula see the abstract.pdf file.)