Phosphine-promoted [3+2] cycloaddition between nonsubstituted MBH carbonates and trifluoromethyl ketones

A phosphine-promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition from readily accessible MBH (Morita-Baylis-Hillman) carbonate and aryl trifluoromethyl ketone is described. The use of methyl vinyl ketone-derived allylic carbonate rather than common acrylate-derived counterpart renders the reaction pathway exclusive for 5-endo process, which enables the expeditious preparation of a range of trifluoromethylated 2, 3-dihydrofuran in a chemospecific manner. (C) 2015 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.