[2 + 2] Cycloaddition/Retro-Electrocyclization/Decarboxylation Reaction Sequence: Access to 4-Aminopyridines from Methylideneisoxazolones and Ynamines.

4-(1-Aminoallylidene)isoxazol-5-ones were synthesized in good yields by the [2 + 2]cycloaddition-retro-electrocyclization reaction of 4-methylideneisoxazol-5(4 H )-ones with ynamines. The reaction mechanism and the absence of hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadducts were investigated by DFT calculations. 4-(1-Aminoallylidene)isoxazol-5-ones were found to be convenient substrates for the preparation of 4-aminopyridines under thermal metal-free conditions. The process proceeds via decarboxylative isomerization with cyclic amino groups and accompanied by partial dealkylation of acyclic amino groups. 4-Aminopyridines can also be prepared directly from 4-methylideneisoxazol-5(4 H )-ones and ynamines by the one-pot protocol.