Rapid access to 4-substituted-pyrones and 2(5H)-furanones via a palladium-catalyzed C–OH bond activation

An efficient palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 4-hydroxy-pyrone or 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone with arylboronic acid is described, which affords the 4-substituted-pyrones and 2(5H)-furanones in good yields. This transformation proceeds through a C–OH bond activation under mild conditions.