Ag(I)-Catalyzed Heterocyclization/[3 + 2] Cycloaddition of α-Alkynylenones with β-Enaminones: Tandem Access to Highly Substituted Cyclopenta[<i>c</i>]furans

A robust Ag(I)-catalyzed tandem heterocyclization/[3 + 2] cycloaddition of α-alkynylenones with β-enaminones was developed, enabling efficient synthesis of cyclopenta[<i>c</i>]furans with good yields, operational simplicity, and broad substrate scope. In addition, it also presents an extended methodology to synthesize unsymmetrical tri(hetero)aryl methane having chromone and furan/pyrrole scaffolds by a slight modification of starting materials. Moreover, the synthesized cyclopenta[<i>c</i>]furans exhibit good fluorescence properties with quantum yields ranging from 0.33 to 0.53, as suggested by the photophysical studies.