Abstract The isoxazolines 2a, 2b and 8 obtained from nitrile oxide cycloadditions to cyclohex- 2-enone 1a and its analogues 1b and 7 reacted with nickel peroxide to give the isoxazoles 3a, 3b and 9. In contrast, the corresponding 2-bromocyclohex-2-enones 4a, 4b and 10, prepared by bromination of the corresponding alkenes 1a, 1b and 7, underwent nitrile oxide cycloadditions to afford the regioisomeric isoxazoles 6a, 6b and 12, respectively.