A simple and convenient synthesis of substituted furans and pyrroles by CuCl2-catalyzed heterocyclodehydration of 3-yne-1,2-diols and N-Boc- or N-tosyl-1-amino-3-yn-2-ols

A simple and economical synthesis of substituted furans and pyrroles, by ligand-free CuCl2-catalyzed heterocyclodehydration of readily available 3-yne-1,2-diols and N-Boc- or N-tosyl-1-amino-3-yn-2-ols, respectively, is presented. Reactions are carried out in MeOH at 80–100 °C for 1–24 h and afford the corresponding heterocyclic derivatives in 53–99% isolated yields.