Synthesis of multi-substituted dihydrofurans via palladium-catalysed coupling between 2,3-alkadienols and pronucleophiles

Multi-substituted dihydrofurans were obtained from a palladium-catalysed coupling reaction between 2,3-alkadienols and ketones bearing an electron-withdrawing group at the α-position. Methanol as a solvent was essential for the initial dehydrative substitution to suppress the competitive hydroalkylation of the diene moiety. The substitution would be followed by intramolecular hydroalkoxylation under the same catalysis.