2-Oxo Driven Unconventional reactions: Microwave Assisted Approaches to Tetrahydrofuro[3,2-d]oxazoles and Furanones

A highly efficient, novel, microwave-assisted, metal-free, diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrofuro[3,2-d]oxazole is disclosed. The synthesis of napthoxazoles is achieved for the first time without the aid of an external catalyst. On the contrary, our reactions generated naphthofuranones when treated in the presence of metals in microwave/thermal conditions. The unusual behavior of our reactions has further been explored in the generation of furanones from tetrahydrofuro[3,2-d]oxazole through the use of metals.