Pyrolysis of hydrazonodihalomethanes of type (RO&)zNN=CXt (R = Me, Et; X = C1, Br) resulted in formation, in high yield, of alkyl 5-halo-2-oxo-A4-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-3-carboxylates. A different mode of decomposition was observed when R = Ph. The reaction of PhHgCXzBr (X = C1 and Br) with azodibenzoyl gave the respective benzoyl halide and 2-halo-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole in a reaction that may have involved initial l,$-addition of CX2 to the N=NC=O system. Reaction of PhHgCClzBr with R02CN=C(C02Et)2 (R = Me or Et) resulted in formation of ClCOzR and the 2-chloro-4-carboethoxy-5-ethoxy-1,3-oxazole 16. The possible mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.In the previous paper of this series,l we reported concerning the reaction of phenyl(trihalomethy1)mercurials with azodicarboxylate esters (eq 1). We now report exten-PhHgCX, -I-R02CN=NCOsR --+
BO"PhHgX + (RO$)zNNeCX, (1) 1 X = C1, Br; R = Me, Et, Me&, PhCH,, Ph sions of this research which have led to new preparative routes to heterocyclic compounds.