Highly atom efficient synthesis of 2,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted 3(2H)-furanones having both hydroxyl and amino substituents

We have developed a highly atom efficient synthesis of tetrasubstituted 3(2H)-furanones from easily accessible starting materials such as C,N-diarylaldonitrones and dibenzoylacetylene. Control experiments revealed that reaction aldonitrones having electron-withdrawing groups on the C-aryl substituent in polar aprotic solvents exhibited high product selectivity while temperature has only negligible effect yield selectivity.