Tunable Synthesis of 2-Ene-1,4-diones, 4-Hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-ones, and 2-(Furan-3-yl)acetamides via Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of Allenols

An efficient and regioselective synthesis of 2-ene-1,4-diones, 4-hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-ones, or 2-(furan-3-yl) acetamides is successfully realized through palladium-catalyzed one-pot multicomponent reactions of allenols with aryl iodides and carbon monoxide in the presence of tertiary amines. Interestingly, the selectivity depends on the substitution patterns of the allenol substrates. To be specific, from the reaction of allenols with no substituent attached on the internal position of the allenic moiety, 2-ene-1,4-diones or 4-hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-ones were formed selectively through carbonylation of aryl iodide followed by acylation of allenol with the in situ formed acyl palladium species, (beta-hydride elimination of the in situ formed allyl palladium complex, and further tautomerization or intramolecular aldol reaction. From the reaction of allenols bearing a substituent at the internal position of the allenic unit, on the other hand, diversely substituted 2-(furan-3-yl)acetamides were formed through a cascade process combining carbonylation of aryl iodide, acylation, and carbonylation of allenol followed by intramolecular condensation and amination by tertiary amine featuring an oxidant-free C-N bond cleavage.