Synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans by Ru-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective codimerization of dihydrofurans with α,β-unsaturated esters

Abstract

2-(1-Alkoxycarbonyl)alkylidenetetrahydrofurans were readily synthesized by the codimerization of 2,3- or 2,5-dihydrofurans with alpha,beta-unsaturated esters using a zerovalent Ru catalyst, Ru(cod)(cot), with high regio- and stereoselectivity.