Copper-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of furan via tandem cycloaddition of ketone with an unsaturated carboxylic acid under air.

Abstract

A catalytic decarboxylative annulation has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted furans by the cycloaddition of ketones with α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids under ambient air. A library of furan derivatives were obtained in good yields from the readily available substrates in the combination of a catalytic amount of Cu-salt and a stoichiometric amount of water. Water plays a crucial role in this catalytic transformation.