Electrochemically-mediated C–H functionalization of allenes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to construct tetrasubstituted furans

Abstract

C–H functionalization of allenes is an available strategy to construct heterocyclic compounds. Herein we propose a sus-tainable electrocatalytic C–H activation for the synthesis of novel highly functionalized tetrasubstituted furans, which is accomplished by intermolecular cyclization of allenes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. This electrochemical allene annulation avoids the requirement for stoichiometric oxidants and noble metal catalysts by using Cp₂Fe as redox catalyst. The cytotoxicity of synthesized tetrasubstituted furans was investigated by MTT assay, and one of the compounds showed good antitumor activity in vitro.