Synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3-fluorofurans via sequential iodocyclization and cross-coupling of gem-difluorohomopropargyl alcohols

The iodocyclization of gem-difluorohomoallenyl and gem-difluorohomopropargyl alcohols with I2 and ICl, respectively, produced the corresponding fluorinated iodofuran analogues in good yields. The iodo substituent in fluorinated 4-iodofurans was utilized as a synthetic handle to prepare multi-substituted 3-fluorofurans using a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The yields of both iodocyclization of gem-difluorohomopropargyl alcohol and subsequent Suzuki coupling were dramatically enhanced by microwave irradiation.