Iodoenolcyclisation of 2-(1,3-disubstituted-1-allyl)-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds: diastereoselective synthesis of tetrasubstituted dihydrofurans

The I2-induced cyclisation of 2-alkenyl-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with the mono- and di-substituted double bond occurred with good diastereoselectivity. A study of stereochemical aspects for different substituents on the allyl side chain was carried out. When the substituents were alkyl groups, the trans isomers formed preferentially, in the case of aromatic substituents the reaction lead instead to cis isomers.