Stereoselective tandem cascade furan cycloadditions

J Org Chem. 2013 Dec 20;78(24):12637-49. doi: 10.1021/jo4022265. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Abstract

Oligofurans linked by a rigid tether undergo tandem cycloaddition reactions with high stereoselectivity. The reaction of bisfurans with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) involves tandem [4 + 2]/[4 + 2] cycloadditions in a pincer mode. The reaction of oligofurans with arynes involves stereoselective tandem [4 + 2]/[4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions in a domino mode. The corresponding aryne adducts have been transformed into extended perylene derivatives by deoxygenation and aromatization with HCl/EtOH.