An efficient synthesis of 2,5-diimino-furans via Pd-catalyzed cyclization of bromoacrylamides and isocyanides.

A novel palladium-catalyzed cyclization of bromoacrylamides with isocyanides gives substituted 2,5-diimino-furans, which can be used as the precursor of maleamides. This synthesis likely proceeds, after isonitrile insertion into C–Pd(II) bond, through the coordination of the amide oxygen atom to the Pd(II) centre as a key step.