Regioselective synthesis of ω-bromo-3-ketosulfones, ω-bromo-3-ketonitriles and 2-(ω-bromoalkyl)benzofurans based on a ‘ring-closing/ring-opening’ strategy

ω-Bromo-3-ketosulfones, ω-bromo-3-ketonitriles and various functionalized 2-(ω-bromoalkyl)benzofurans were chemo- and regioselectively prepared by application of a ‘ring-closing/ring-opening’ strategy. The cyclization of 3-ketosulfone and 3-ketonitrile dianions with 1-bromo-2-chloroethane or 1,4-dibromobut-2-ene afforded functionalized 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans which were subsequently cleaved by reaction with boron tribromide or boron trichloride to give the final products.