Various nitrile oxides and nitrones, ethyl diazoacetate and an azometh
ine ylide were examined in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to 5-methoxy-2[5
H]-furanone, in particular with respect to regio- and diastereoselecti
vities. Isoxazoles 13-17 and isoxazolidines 21, 22 and 24 were obtaine
d in high yields with and-facial selectivities and regioselectivities
exceeding 95%. In the case of pyrazoline 26 minor amounts of syn-facia
l adduct are also observed, whereas lactone annulated pyrrolidines 28
are obtained as mixtures of regio-isomers.