Remarkable Reactivity of Boron-Substituted Furans in the Diels–Alder Reactions with Maleic Anhydride

The reactivity of boron-substituted furans as dienes in the Diels–Alder reaction with maleic anhydride has been investigated. Gratifyingly, the furans with boryl substituents at C-3 gave the exo cycloadduct exclusively with excellent yields. In particular, the potassium trifluoroborate exhibited outstanding reactivity at room temperature. Theoretical calculations suggested that the trifluoroborate group is highly activating and also that the thermodynamics is the main factor that determines whether the products can be obtained efficiently or not.