Radical cyclizations of conjugated esters and amides with 3-oxopropanenitriles mediated by manganese(III) acetate

Radical cyclizations of conjugated esters and amides with 3-oxopropanenitriles in presence of manganese(III) acetate produced ethyl 4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylates and 4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxamides in good yields. The radical cyclizations of conjugated amides gave 2,3-dihydrofurans in better yields than that of conjugated esters. Moreover, the reactions of thienyl substituted amides and esters with 3-oxopropanenitriles afforded 2,3-dihydrofurans more efficiently than phenyl substituted ones.