Synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans via In-catalyzed propargylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds-cyclization tandem process

An efficient method to synthesize tetrasubstituted furans using simple starting materials such as propargylic alcohols and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed. It was discovered that InCl3 could catalyze this transformation efficiently while other simple iron, copper and silver salts were proven to be ineffective. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.