Facile synthesis of dihydrofurans by the cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate mediated oxidative addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to cyclic and acyclic alkenes. Relative superiority over the manganese(III) acetate mediated process

Radicals generated from dimedone and acetylacetone by CAN undergo addition to cyclic and acyclic alkenes to give dihydrofurans in good yields. In view of the experimental simplicity and higher yields of products formed CAN appears to be superior to the more commonly used Mn(OAc)3.