(Alkoxyallyl)sulfones as enal and enone β-anion equivalents. Synthesis of mono-, di- and trisubstituted furans

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(96)00932-5

Treatment of variously-substituted (alkoxyallyl)sulfones 1, 7-9 with strong base followed by aldehydes gives alcohol adducts 5. These may be converted into a wide range of substituted furans 6 by exposure to acid, or to silica gel in dichloromethane containing sulfuric acid in some cases.