By combining efficient methodologies for the preparation of substituted azetines and thietes with a highly regio-and diastereoselective [3 + 2]-cycloaddition, a straightforward pathway for the synthesis of fused isoxazoline azetidines and thietanes has been designed. With minimal steps and starting from commercial sources, a new library of elaborated architectures was synthesized opening up a new class of molecules with large potential in pharmacology. Finally, a retro [2 + 2]-cycloaddition leading to substituted isoxazoles is described.

A catalytic system consisting of Ni(acac)2 (5 mol%) and 4-fluorostyrene (20 mol%) allows a convenient cross-coupling of functionalized organomanganese reagents with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl halides leading to polyfunctionalized diaryl- and arylheteroarylmethane derivatives.