Cascade Radical Cyclization on Alkynyl Vinylogous Carbonates for the Divergent Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans and Dihydrofurans.

A single alkynyl vinylogous carbonate was elaborated to tetrasubstituted furan or dihydrofuran via a cascade inter-intramolecular radical reaction by changing the radical being added. The strategy could be used in the synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles as well as bis-furan exhibiting atropisomerism. Installation of a new furan motif on the existing one was feasible by iteration. Stannyl dihydrofuran derivative was used in Stille coupling, whereas intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation on the furan gave furanonaphthol.