Rh-Catalyzed oxidative homo-coupling cyclization of 2,3-allenols to conjugated furylenones

Abstract

An unexpected rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereo-selective bimolecular nucleophilic oxyrhodation/insertion/1,4-Rh migration/β-H elimination reaction of 2,3-allenols affording (2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)but-2(E)-en-1-one derivatives is reported. Optically active products may be prepared from optically active 2,3-allenols without obvious racemization. The synthetic potentials have been demonstrated.