Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Dihydrofurans through Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of β-Ketoesters with Propargylic Esters

An enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized dihydrofurans through a copper-catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of beta-ketoesters with propargylic esters has been developed. With a combination of Cu(OTf)(2) and a chiral tridentate P, N, N ligand as the catalyst, a variety of 2,3-dihydrofurans bearing an exocyclic double bond at the 2 position were obtained in good chemical yields and with good to high enantioselectivities. The exocyclic double bond can be hydrogenated in a highly diastereoselective fashion to give unusual cis-2,3-dihydrofuran derivatives, thus further enhancing the scope of this transformation.