Copper-catalyzed C-O bond formation: an efficient one-pot highly regioselective synthesis of furans from (2-furyl)carbene complexes.

A convenient one-pot Cu(I)-catalyzed strategy for regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted furan derivatives has been developed via (2-furyl) carbene complexes. This process has opened a new synthetic route to a variety of α-carbonyl furans using air as the oxidant affording furans in good yields.