Synthesis of Substituted Tetrahydrofurans by [3+2] Cycloadditions

The common occurrence of various THF substitution patterns in biologically active compounds makes the advent of new efficient methods to prepare these structures welcome. The authors report a simple procedure to synthesize 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans from simple starting materials. Vinylcyclopropane (VCP) was prepared in one step from malonate and 1,4-dibromo-2-butene. Low catalyst loadings can be used to obtain...