Reductive heterocyclizations via indium/iodine-promoted one-pot conversion of 2-nitroaryl aldehydes, ketones, and imines

2-Nitroaryl aldehydes, ketones, and imines were reductively cyclized to 2,1-benzisoxazoles with good yields in the presence of indium and iodine in MeOH. Under a similar condition, N-(2-nitrobenzylidene)anilines were produced mixtures of 2,1-benzisoxazoles and 3-anilino-2-phenyl-2H-indazoles.