1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones with electron-rich alkenes catalyzed by Yb(Otf)^3

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones with ethyl vinyl ether or 2,3-dihydrofuran proceeds smoothly in the presence of a catalytic amount (10 mol%) of ytterbium triflate to afford isoxazolidines and dicyclic isoxazolidine respectively with good yields and high stereoselectivity.