Stereoselective Synthesis of Furans by the Pd-Catalyzed Oshima−Utimoto Reaction

[reaction: see text]. The Pd-catalyzed coupling of acyclic allylic alcohols with vinyl ethers was examined and found to proceed with 2.5-10 mol % of catalyst and to provide cyclic acetals with good stereoselection. The reaction is tolerant of a number of functional groups and can be used to generate quaternary centers in a stereoselective fashion.