Direct Cyclization of 1,3-Diketones with Malonate-Based Iodonium Ylides to Generate Dihydrofurans.

Abstract

While iodonium ylides are important reantants in a wide range of reactions, the exploration of electron-transfer property of iodonium ylides remains an underdeveloped topic. Herein, we describe a direct cyclization of 1,3-diketones with malonate-based iodonium ylides to give a diverse array of dihydrofurans in moderate yields. The control experiments suggest that the electron transfer between enol and iodonium ylide gives reactive species, thus enabling a cyclization cascade process to take place to give dihydrofurans.