Herein, we describe a Pd-catalyzed
[2+3] cycloaddition/cross-coupling
reaction of allenyl acetates for the Z/E selective
and diastereoselective synthesis of dendralene-functionalized dihydrofurans.
Remarkably, mechanistic studies show the formation of an epoxide from
a carbonyl bond via cycloaddition, which is practically and mechanistically
significant for the construction of other bioactive heterocyclic epoxides.
This research also revealed the utility and potential of allenic esters
as C2 synthons and 1,2-biselectrophiles in cycloaddition reactions.