General, regiodefined access to α-substituted butenolides through metal-halogen exchange of 3-bromo-2-silyloxyfurans. Efficient synthesis of an anti-inflammatory Gorgonian lipid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo8015924

(Chemical Equation Presented) A variety of α-substituted butenolides were efficiently prepared from 3-bromo-2-triisopropylsilyloxyfuran via lithium-bromine exchange and in situ quench with carbon or heteroatom electrophiles. The inherent flexibility of this methodology is illustrated by a short and efficient synthesis of an anti-inflammatory marine natural product.