Electrophilic cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones using the I2/K3PO4 system:: An efficient synthesis of highly substituted iodofurans

The electrophilic cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones in the presence of various alcohols or carbon-based nucleophiles offers an efficient and straightforward route to highly substituted iodofurans under extremely mild reaction conditions. The iodo derivatives are potential synthetic intermediates for amplification of molecular complexity.