Use of palladium-mediated allylic substitution reactions in the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted-2,5-dihydrofurans

2,5-Disubstituted-2,5-dihydrofurans were synthesised in both one- and two-pot reactions starting from 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran. These palladium-mediated allylic substitution reactions were useful in preparing symmetrical or unsymmetrical products by employing the same nucleophile twice or two different nucleophiles, respectively.