Efficient one-pot synthesis of biologically interesting diverse furo[2,3-b]pyran-6-ones by rhodium(II)-catalyzed cascade reactions of diazo compound with ethynyl compounds

Rhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of diazo compound and a variety of ethynyl compounds were carried out. These reactions provide a rapid route for preparing a variety of furo[2,3-b]pyran-6-one derivatives in one-pot via cascade reactions of metal carbenoid reaction/ketene formation/[2+2]cycloaddition/ring expansion.