Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans: An Update Since 2019

Abstract

Polysubstituted furans are widespread structural motifs, extensively dispersed in natural products, in numerous bioactive compounds, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and organic functional materials. Hence, the development of rapid and competent methodologies for the synthesis of multisubstituted furans has drawn much attention over the years. This review summarizes the synthesis of polysubstituted furans using transition-metal catalyzed, transition metal-free, photochemical and electrochemical approaches with plausible mechanistic insights. In each reaction, the highest yields of di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted furans are highlighted and some applications of the methodology towards the synthesis of natural products and biologically active compounds are mentioned. The present review highlights the recent progresses in the synthesis of polysubstituted furans reported from 2019 to 2023.