Convenient synthesis of polysubstituted 3-iodofurans through the tandem ring-opening/cyclization reaction of 1-alkynyl-2,3-epoxy alcohols

A novel method for the synthesis of highly substituted iodine-containing furans has been developed by the cyclization of 1-(arylethynyl)-2,3-epoxy alcohols (1-aryl-4,5-epoxyalk-1-yn-3-ols) with alcohols as nucleophiles under very mild reaction conditions. The resulting iodine-containing furans can be readily elaborated to more complex products using known organopalladium chemistry.