Silver-catalyzed oxidative 1,2-alkyletherification of unactivated alkenes with α-bromoalkyl carbonyls: facile access to highly substituted 2,3-dihydrofurans.

A new, general silver-catalyzed oxidative 1,2-alkyletherification of unactivated olefinic ketones with primary, secondary and tertiary α-bromoalkyl carbonyls promoted by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and Et3N has been developed. Through the cooperative action of Ag2O, TBHP and Et3N, the reaction enables the construction of highly valuable quaternary-carbon-possessing 2,3-dihydrofuran frameworks using a concomitant intramolecular annulation strategy.