Versatile Synthesis of Acylfuranones by Reaction of Acylketenes with α-Hydroxy Ketones: Application to the One-Step Multicomponent Synthesis of Cadiolide B and Its Analogues

Functionalized acylfuranones have been prepared in a one-step procedure by thermal fragmentation of the corresponding dioxinones in the presence of hydroxy ketones in basic conditions. Multicomponent reactions also occur on addition of an aldehyde as a third reaction partner resulting in an expeditious access to cadiolide B and its analogues.