A sulfone-based strategy for the preparation of 2,4-disubstituted furan derivatives.

2,4-Disubstituted furans are prepared by treating 2,3-dibromo-1-phenylsulfonyl-1-propene (DBP, 2) with 1,3-diketones under basic conditions. The furan-forming step involves a deacetylation, and the selectivity of this process depends upon the steric demand of the R group. The substituent in position 4 is elaborated by reaction of sulfonyl carbanions with alkyl halides, acyl halides, and aldehydes. Oxidative or reductive desulfonylation produces the 2,4-disubstituted furans in 60-92% yield. This strategy has been used to prepare rabdoketone A (12) and the naturally occurring nematotoxic furoic acid 13.