Synthesis of SF5-containing benzisoxazoles, quinolines, and quinazolines by the Davis reaction of nitro-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzenes

Meta- or para-nitro-(pentafluorosulfonyl)benzenes underwent the Davis reaction with arylacetonitriles to provide the SF5-containing benzisoxazoles. Good yields were obtained with arylacetonitriles containing the electron-neutral or electron-donor group, while those with the electron-acceptor group were found to be unreactive. Reductions of the benzisoxazoles gave ortho-aminobenzophenones in high yields. Their synthetic utility was demonstrated by condensation reactions with carbonyl compounds or amines to provide SF5-containing quinolines and quinazolines, respectively.