Efficient Synthesis of 2-Mono- and 2,5-Disubstituted Furans via the CuI-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Alkynyl Ketones

Abstract

A mild, general, and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-monosubstituted and 2,5-disubstituted furans via the CuI-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynyl ketones was developed. It was demonstrated that furans containing both acid- and base-labile groups could be easily synthesized using this methodology. A plausible mechanism for this transformation is proposed.