Water as an additive for selective synthesis of saturated 1,4-diketones and tetrasubstituted furans directly from 1,4-enediones

Water-controlled and phosphine-mediated selective synthesis of saturated 1,4-diketones and tetrasubstituted furans has been developed directly from 1,4-enediones. Saturated 1,4-diketones were selectively obtained in acetone with water as an additive, whereas tetrasubstituted furans were selectively obtained in anhydrous 1,2-dichloroethane. A large variety of functional groups are tolerated under these reaction conditions, including electron-rich, electron-poor, halogen, and heteroaryl substituents. This method also has significant advantages in easily available substrates, mild reaction conditions, and high reaction efficiency.

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