Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds

A novel method for the efficient and straightforward synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans is presented, employing a base-catalyzed reaction of <i>α</i>-hydroxy ketones and cyano compounds. The reaction proceeds under relatively mild conditions, utilizes readily available starting materia...

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Main Authors: Yu Zeng, Shi-Hang Yang, Ji-Lin Guo, Yun Li, Ting Lin, Zhao-Yang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/8/1832
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author Yu Zeng
Shi-Hang Yang
Ji-Lin Guo
Yun Li
Ting Lin
Zhao-Yang Wang
author_facet Yu Zeng
Shi-Hang Yang
Ji-Lin Guo
Yun Li
Ting Lin
Zhao-Yang Wang
author_sort Yu Zeng
collection DOAJ
description A novel method for the efficient and straightforward synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans is presented, employing a base-catalyzed reaction of <i>α</i>-hydroxy ketones and cyano compounds. The reaction proceeds under relatively mild conditions, utilizes readily available starting materials, and exhibits good functional group tolerance and high yields. Notably, this reaction obviates the need for expensive metal catalysts and introduces crucial functional groups such as amino and cyano moieties. Furthermore, it avoids the prerequisite functionalization of substrates, thereby enhancing atomic economy.
format Article
id doaj-art-e7bc513ab6ac447e95f1b93cdfa5a6ca
institution OA Journals
issn 1420-3049
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-e7bc513ab6ac447e95f1b93cdfa5a6ca2025-08-20T02:28:32ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-04-01308183210.3390/molecules30081832Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano CompoundsYu Zeng0Shi-Hang Yang1Ji-Lin Guo2Yun Li3Ting Lin4Zhao-Yang Wang5School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaA novel method for the efficient and straightforward synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans is presented, employing a base-catalyzed reaction of <i>α</i>-hydroxy ketones and cyano compounds. The reaction proceeds under relatively mild conditions, utilizes readily available starting materials, and exhibits good functional group tolerance and high yields. Notably, this reaction obviates the need for expensive metal catalysts and introduces crucial functional groups such as amino and cyano moieties. Furthermore, it avoids the prerequisite functionalization of substrates, thereby enhancing atomic economy.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/8/1832<i>α</i>-hydroxy ketonescyano compoundstetrasubstituted furansgreen synthesismetal-free catalysis
spellingShingle Yu Zeng
Shi-Hang Yang
Ji-Lin Guo
Yun Li
Ting Lin
Zhao-Yang Wang
Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
Molecules
<i>α</i>-hydroxy ketones
cyano compounds
tetrasubstituted furans
green synthesis
metal-free catalysis
title Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
title_full Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
title_fullStr Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
title_full_unstemmed Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
title_short Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furans from <i>α</i>-Hydroxy Ketones and Cyano Compounds
title_sort metal free catalytic synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans from i α i hydroxy ketones and cyano compounds
topic <i>α</i>-hydroxy ketones
cyano compounds
tetrasubstituted furans
green synthesis
metal-free catalysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/8/1832
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