1,2-Dibromoalkanes into alkynes by elimination reaction under DBU conditions and their application to total synthesis of sapinofuranone B

Treatment of 1,2-dibromoalkanes with DBU effected an elimination reaction, leading to the alkynes. Oxygen substitution at the C3 position plays a critical role to abstract protons by inductive effects. By the application of this protocol, a total synthesis of sapinofuranone B 4 was accomplished.