Three-component reaction of triphenylphosphine, dialkyl but-2-ynedioate and arylidene pivaloylacetonitrile for diastereoselective synthesis of densely substituted 2,3-dihydrofurans

The three-component reaction of triphenylphosphine, dialkyl but-2-ynedioate and arylidene pivaloylacetonitrile in dry methylene dichloride at room temperature resulted in unexpected densely substituted 1-(triphenyl-λ5-phosphanylidene)ethyl)-2,3-dihydrofurans in satisfactory yields with high diastereoselectivity.