Alkylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with benzylic and propargylic alcohols using Ir–Sn bimetallic catalyst: synthesis of fully decorated furans and pyrroles

The heterobimetallic complex [Ir(COD)(SnCl3)Cl(μ-Cl)]2 catalyzes the direct substitution of hydroxyl groups in benzylic and propargylic alcohols by 1,3-dicarbonyl moiety. In 4-hydroxycoumarin, benzylation and propargylation occurs at the 3-position. Selective propargylation or allenylation takes place depending on the nature of propargylic alcohol. By applying the methodology, multi-substituted furans and pyrroles have been synthesized in good yields.