FeCl3 or MeSO3H-promoted multicomponent reactions for facile synthesis of structurally diverse furan analogues.

An intriguing conversion of arylglyoxal, cyclic dicarbonyl compounds and phenols to diverse furan analogues under FeCl3 or MeSO3H catalysis is reported. Utilizing this synthetic protocol, a variety of furan analogues could be easily obtained in moderate to good yields with different substituted patterns by varying the reaction medium. Atom-economical characteristics and mild conditions of this method are in accord with the concept of modern green chemistry.