Facile access to 4-aryl-2(5H)-furanones by suzuki cross coupling: Efficient synthesis of rubrolides C and E

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01715-8

The Pd(0)-catalyzed cross coupling between 4-bromo-2(5H)-furanones and arylboronic acids provides the corresponding 4-aryl-2(5H)-furanones in yields of 61-85%. By using this method in conjunction with furanolate chemistry, the marine antibiotics rubrolide C and E have been synthesized in highly efficient fashion (4 steps, overall yield = 61 and 56% respectively) from β- tetronic acid.