DBU-Promoted Cascade Annulation of Nitroarylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles and 3‑Aryl-2-cyanoacrylates: An Access to Highly Functionalized Cyclopenta[<i>b</i>]furan Derivatives

A DBU-promoted cascade annulation of nitroarylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles and 3-aryl-2-cyanoacrylates for the synthesis of highly functionalized cyclopenta­[b]­furan derivatives is described. High stereoselectivity, fused cyclopentane and furan can be established in a single reaction, highlighting the high efficiency and step-economy of this protocol. This reaction offers a novel and straightforward protocol to the synthesis of cyclopenta­[b]­furans featuring the [3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroarylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles with 3-aryl-2-cyanoacrylates.