Iron(III) chloride-catalyzed synthesis of 3-carboxy-2,5-disubstituted furans from γ-alkynyl aryl- and alkylketones

Abstract

A mild, catalytic method for the synthesis of 3-carboxy-2,5-disubstituted furans is reported proceeding via a 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization reaction. The iron(III) chloride-catalyzed transformation of aryl- and alkyl β-ketoesters enables synthetic access to functionalized furan core structures found in many natural products and complex molecules of biological importance. The method described herein, represents a mild and efficient alternative to currently available reaction protocols.