Palladium-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation of butenolides: An efficient and sustainable access to β-arylbutenolides

Abstract

Several α-unsubstituted β-arylbutenolides have been prepared in 69–92% yield by reductive dehalogenation of α-halo-β-arylbutenolides. The latter were assembled in a single-step from α,β-dihalobutenolides, which are accessible on a large-scale from biomass-derived furfural. Our dehalogenation protocol is illustrated by a new synthesis of the marine antibiotics rubrolide E and F, and 3″-bromorubrolide F.