Electrophilic cyclization of 4-thio-but-2-yn-1-ols via 1,2-migration of the thio group: efficient synthesis of 2,4-dihalo-3-thio-substituted furans

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of 2,4-dihalo-3-thio-furans via the electrophilic cyclization and 1,2-migration of the thio group of 4-thio-but-2-yn-1-ols was developed. As a result of the ready availability of starting materials and the simple and convenient operation, this synthetic route would have potential utility in organic synthesis.