A novel and efficient method to prepare 2-aryltetrahydrofuran-2-ylphosphonic acids

Abstract

A novel one-pot method was developed for the synthesis of the title compounds starting from 4-chloro-1-aryl-1-butanones 1, phosphorus trichloride and acetic acid. The end products 2 were obtained in 20–94% yield. The cyclization step under acidic conditions probably occurs as a result of anchimeric assistance of the phosphonic acid group.

Keywords

• 4-chloro-1-aryl-1-butanones
• cyclization
• furan
• heterocycle
• phosphonic acids