Synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydrofurans via visible light-induced De Mayo acetalization of benzoylacetones

Abstract

A visible light photocatalytic cascade reaction was developed, involving sequential self-[2+2] photodimerization of benzoylacetones, De Mayo reaction, acetalization, and alkoxylation, yielding tetrahydrofurans with high stereoselectivity, three stereogenic centers, and two quaternary carbons, under mild conditions with a cycloaddition-rearrangement strategy. Given the significance of photoreaction and rearrangement in organic chemistry, this method provides a valuable approach for the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans.