Functionalized 3(2H)-furanones via photooxygenation of (β-keto)-2-substituted furans: application to the biomimetic synthesis of merrekentrone C.

Photooxygenation of (β-keto)-2-substituted furans leads, in a one pot operation, to functionalized 3(2H)-furanones with good to excellent yields. This methodology was applied as a key-step to the concise and biomimetic synthesis of the sesquiterpene merrekentrone C. The precursor to merrekentrone C, keto difuran, was synthesized using a cross coupling of α-iodo-3-acetylfuran with an alkenyl furan under Fenton-type conditions.