Synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 3-iodofurans via palladium-catalyzed coupling and iodocyclization of terminal alkynes

2,5-Disubstituted 3-iodofurans are readily prepared under very mild reaction conditions by the palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of (Z)-β-bromoenol acetates and terminal alkynes, followed by iodocyclization. The useful intermediates conjugated enyne acetates are obtained in high yields in the transformation. Aryl- and alkyl-substituted alkynes undergo iodocyclization in good yields. The resulting iodine-containing furans can be readily elaborated to 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans.     

Pd/C mediated synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans/nitrobenzo[b]furans in water

An efficient synthesis of 2-alkyl/aryl substituted benzo[b]furans/nitrobenzo[b]furans in water has been accomplished via Pd/C catalyzed reaction of o-iodophenols with terminal alkynes in the presence of PPh₃, CuI and prolinol. This method can tolerate a variety of functional groups present in the alkynes as well as base labile nitro group in the o-iodophenols. The protocol does not require the use of a phase transfer catalyst or water-soluble phosphine ligands and is free from the use of any organic co-solvent.     

Silver-mediated oxidative C-H/C-H functionalization: a strategy to construct polysubstituted furans

A novel silver-mediated highly selective oxidative C-H/C-H functionalization of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with terminal alkynes for the creation of polysubstituted furans and pyrroles in one step has been demonstrated. Promoted by the crucial silver species, perfect selectivity and good to excellent yields could be achieved. This protocol represents an extremely simple and atom-economic way to construct polysubstituted furans and pyrroles from basic starting materials under mild conditions.     

Parallel synthesis of a multi-substituted benzo[b]furan library

The solution-phase parallel synthesis of a 121-member library of multi-substituted benzo[ b]furans is described. 2,3,5-Trisubstituted benzo[ b]furans have been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed substitution of 3-iodobenzofurans by Suzuki-Miyaura, carbonylative Suzuki, Sonogashira, Heck, and carboalkoxylation chemistry. The 3-iodobenzofurans are readily prepared in good to excellent yields by the palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of various o-iodoanisoles and terminal alkynes, followed by electrophilic cyclization with ICl.     

Palladium-Catalysed Couplings of Halofurans with Activated Alkenes and Terminal Alkynes. A Short Synthesis of Dihydrowyerone

The palladium-catalysed coupling of bromofurans with activated alkenes and of furanoyl chlorides with either terminal alkynes or alkynyl stannanes gave good yields of the corresponding vinyl furans and alkynyl ketones. These studies culminated in a short synthesis of the antifungal agent dihydrowyerone.     

Synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furans by the palladium-catalyzed coupling of o-iodoanisoles and terminal alkynes, followed by electrophilic cyclization

[reaction: see text] 2,3-Disubstituted benzo[b]furans are readily prepared under very mild reaction conditions by the palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of various o-iodoanisoles and terminal alkynes, followed by electrophilic cyclization with I2, PhSeCl, or p-O2NC6H4SCl. Aryl- and vinylic-substituted alkynes undergo electrophilic cyclization in excellent yields. Biologically important furopyridines can be prepared by this approach in high yields.     

Gold-catalyzed synthesis of chroman, dihydrobenzofuran, dihydroindole, and tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

Different furans containing an ynamide or alkynyl ether moiety in the side chain were prepared. The gold-catalyzed transformation of these compounds delivered dihydroindole, dihydrobenzofuran, chroman, and tetrahydroquinoline derivatives at room temperature through very fast reactions. Furthermore, the stabilizing effect of the heteroatom directly attached to the intermediate arene oxides led to highly selective reactions, even in the case of only mono-substituted furans, which is quite different from previous results obtained with non-heteroatom-substituted alkynes.     

A microwave-enhanced, solventless Mannich condensation of terminal alkynes and secondary amines with para-formaldehyde on cuprous iodide doped alumina

A microwave-enhanced, solventless Mannich condensation of terminal alkynes and secondary amines with para-formaldehyde on cuprous iodide doped alumina has been developed. β-Aminoalkynes are generated in good yields. The reaction can be extended to include a cyclization, which affords 2-substituted benzo[b]furans. The chemoselectivity of the reaction indicates that terminal alkynes are much more reactive than enolizable ketones under the reaction conditions.     

Site-specific preparation of 4-substituted-6-fluoro(carboalkoxyl)benzo[b]furans and benzo[b]thiophenes via base-catalyzed cyclization of enyne derivatives

A site-specific synthesis of 4-substituted-6-fluoro(carboalkoxyl)benzo[b]furans and benzo[b]thiophenes is described. The reactions of heterocyclic aromatic aldehydes with a Wittig reagent, followed by Sonogashira reaction with terminal alkynes, and subsequent base-catalyzed cyclization site-specifically provide 4-substituted-6-fluoro(carboalkoxyl)benzo[b]furans and benzo[b]thiophenes in good yields.     

TiCl4-catalyzed indirect anti-Markovnikov hydration of alkynes: application to the synthesis of benzo[b]furans

An efficient methodology for the indirect anti-Markovnikov hydration of unsymmetrically substituted terminal and internal alkynes is based on TiCl4-catalyzed hydroamination reactions. Its application to ortho-alkynylhaloarenes, followed by a copper-catalyzed O-arylation, provides flexible access to substituted benzo[b]furans.     

Gold-catalyzed synthesis of furans and furanones from sulfur ylides

A golden switch: Doubly stabilized sulfonium ylides can be coupled with alkynes in a gold-catalyzed synthesis of heterocycles. This method hinges on a switch in the reactivity of the sulfur ylide resulting from the simple modification of the electron-withdrawing moieties and leads to either furans or furanones bearing a quaternary center.     

Gold‐Catalyzed C(sp3)?H/C(sp)?H Coupling/Cyclization/Oxidative Alkynylation Sequence: A Powerful Strategy for the Synthesis of 3‐Alkynyl Polysubstituted Furans

In sharp contrast to the gold‐catalyzed reactions of alkynes/allenes with nucleophiles, gold‐catalyzed oxidative cross‐couplings and especially C H/C H cross‐coupling have been under represented. By taking advantage of the unique redox property and carbophilic π acidity of gold, this work realizes the first gold‐catalyzed direct C(sp³) H alkynylation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with terminal alkynes under mild reaction conditions, with subsequent cyclization and in situ oxidative alkynylation. A variety of terminal alkynes including aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkyl, and cyclopropyl alkynes all successfully participate in the domino reaction. The protocol offers a simple and region‐defined approach to 3‐alkynyl polysubstituted furans.     

New domino approach for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furans via copper-catalyzed multi-component coupling reactions followed by cyclization

An efficient domino process for the construction of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furans has been developed via copper-catalyzed three-component coupling reactions of salicylaldehydes, amines, and alkynes followed by base-assisted O-annulation reaction.     

A sequential synthesis of substituted furans from aryl alkynes and ketones involving a cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)-mediated oxidative cyclization

A convenient, two-step synthesis of substituted furans from readily available aryl alkynes and ketones is reported. The furan-forming oxidative cyclization is mediated by the combination of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate and potassium bromide and can be carried out in an open flask.     

Gold‐Catalyzed C(sp3)H/C(sp)H Coupling/Cyclization/Oxidative Alkynylation Sequence: A Powerful Strategy for the Synthesis of 3‐Alkynyl Polysubstituted Furans

In sharp contrast to the gold‐catalyzed reactions of alkynes/allenes with nucleophiles, gold‐catalyzed oxidative cross‐couplings and especially C? H/C? H cross‐coupling have been under represented. By taking advantage of the unique redox property and carbophilic π acidity of gold, this work realizes the first gold‐catalyzed direct C(sp³)? H alkynylation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with terminal alkynes under mild reaction conditions, with subsequent cyclization and in situ oxidative alkynylation. A variety of terminal alkynes including aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkyl, and cyclopropyl alkynes all successfully participate in the domino reaction. The protocol offers a simple and region‐defined approach to 3‐alkynyl polysubstituted furans.     

Vicinal alkylation of alkynes. A short route toward Δα,β butenolides,furans and cyclopentenones.

Cyclobutenones 1 which are readily prepared from alkynes and keteniminium salts 2 were-regiospecifically converted into Δ^α,β butenolides 4 or cyclopentenones 7. Reaction of 4 with diisobutylaluminum hydride yielded the corresponding substituted furans.     

Pd/Cu-catalyzed cascade Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reactions to highly substituted 3-formyl furans

An efficient palladium/copper-catalyzed approach to the synthesis of highly substituted 3-formyl furans from the reactions of readily available α-bromoenaminones with terminal alkynes has been developed. This methodology was realized by the cascade reactions of Sonogashira coupling and the subsequent intramolecular cyclization.     

Highly selective synthesis of tetra-substituted furans and cyclopropenes: copper(i)-catalyzed formal cycloadditions of internal aryl alkynes and diazoacetates

A convenient Cu(i)-catalyzed cycloaddition of electron rich internal aryl alkynes and diazoacetates was discovered for the chemoselective and regioselective synthesis of tetra-substituted furans and cyclopropenes in moderate isolated yields (18-67%), and alkyne conversion (29-73%).     

CuI catalyzed domino coupling–cyclization of 2-iodo-phenols and 1-alkynes to the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans/furo-pyridines

CuI/proline-catalyzed coupling reaction of 2-iodo-phenols with terminal alkynes and the following cyclization process is carried out successively in DMSO at 80?°C. Under this tandem process, 2-substituted benzo[b]furans/furo-pyridines were synthesized in good to excellent yields with a great diversity.     

Atom-economical chemoselective synthesis of 1,4-diynes and polysubstituted furans/pyrroles from propargyl alcohols and terminal alkynes

Under different conditions, the reaction of propargyl alcohols and terminal alkynes leads to the selective formation of 1,4-diynes and polysubstituted furans/pyrroles. Water is the only byproduct in the selective synthesis of 1,4-diynes and pyrroles, and the strategy for the furan synthesis is of 100% atom economy.