The Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with a bromo-furanone has been developed to prepare a series of substituted 2,5-dihydrofuran-2-ones related to the fungal metabolite, incrustoporin. A protocol of microwave heating was introduced to improve synthesis throughput.
antifungal compounds - arylations - catalysis - cross-coupling - palladium - microwave heating