Regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted furans via metalloradical cyclization of alkynes with α-diazocarbonyls: construction of functionalized α-oligofurans.

Co(III)-carbene radicals generated from activation of α-diazocarbonyls by Co(II)-porphyrin complexes have been shown to undergo a new type of tandem radical addition reaction with alkynes that affords five-membered furan structures. The Co(II) complex of 3,5-Di(t)Bu-IbuPhyrin, [Co(P1)], is effective in catalyzing the metalloradical cyclization reaction under neutral and mild conditions. The [Co(P1)]-catalyzed process tolerates a wide range of α-diazocarbonyls and terminal alkynes with varied steric and electronic properties, producing polyfunctionalized furans with complete regioselectivity. The catalytic synthesis features a high degree of functional group tolerance and can be applied iteratively to construct functionalized α-oligofurans.