The intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition of a series of unsatura
ted hydroxyimino esters has been. investigated. The reaction has been
found to be stereospecific, with the configuration of the reacting dou
ble bond maintained in the final product. Lack of intramolecular pathw
ay has been observed when R, R1 or R2 are hydrogen atoms. AM1 calculat
ion help rationalizes the observed reactions .