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Peer-Reviewed Open Access Publication · ISSN: 2321-8681 · CC-BY 4.0 International

Open Access ISSN: 2321-8681 Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December) 2026

Mini Review on the Diels???Alder Reaction of Furan and Its Derivatives: Synthetic Applications, Stereochemical Insights, Catalytic Ring Opening Strategies and Future Directions

Authors: Pramod Sonawane, Gauri Patole & Suresh Iyer India
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Abstract

The Diels–Alder [4+2] cycloaddition of furan and its platform derivatives represent a strategic transformation bridging sustainable biomass utilization, natural product total synthesis, and dynamic material design. Possessing an aromatic resonance stabilization energy (∼16" kcal/mol" ) significantly lower than that of benzene (∼36" kcal/mol" ), furan serves as a unique bio-renewable 4π component in normal-electron-demand Diels–Alder (NEDDA) reactions, assembling 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene scaffolds containing up to four contiguous stereocenters in a single atom-economical step. This review presents a comprehensive survey covering: (i) general synthetic methodology; (ii) adduct profiles across diverse diene-dienophile combinations; (iii) applications in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and bioactive alkaloid total synthesis; (iv) industrial utility in self-healing polymers and biorefineries; (v) Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO) symmetry considerations governing endo/exo diastereoselectivity and thermal retro-Diels–Alder (rDA) reversibility; (vi) ring-opening functionalizations of oxabicyclic intermediates; and (vii) current limitations and future directions.

KEYWORDS: Furan, Diels–Alder reaction, 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptene, Secondary or

Journal Research and Reviews in Biotechnology and Biosciences
Peer Review Double-Blind Peer Reviewed
Publication Year 2026
Volume Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December)
Page Range 86-99
DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23879362
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Pramod Sonawane, Gauri Patole & Suresh Iyer (2026). Mini Review on the Diels???Alder Reaction of Furan and Its Derivatives: Synthetic Applications, Stereochemical Insights, Catalytic Ring Opening Strategies and Future Directions. Research and Reviews in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December) , 86-99. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23879362
Pramod Sonawane, Gauri Patole & Suresh Iyer, 2026. Mini Review on the Diels???Alder Reaction of Furan and Its Derivatives: Synthetic Applications, Stereochemical Insights, Catalytic Ring Opening Strategies and Future Directions. Research and Reviews in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December) , pp. 86-99.
Pramod Sonawane, Gauri Patole & Suresh Iyer. "Mini Review on the Diels???Alder Reaction of Furan and Its Derivatives: Synthetic Applications, Stereochemical Insights, Catalytic Ring Opening Strategies and Future Directions." Research and Reviews in Biotechnology and Biosciences Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December) (2026): 86-99.
@article{rrbb_335_PramodSon, title = {{Mini Review on the Diels???Alder Reaction of Furan and Its Derivatives: Synthetic Applications, Stereochemical Insights, Catalytic Ring Opening Strategies and Future Directions}}, author = {Pramod Sonawane, Gauri Patole & Suresh Iyer}, journal = {Research and Reviews in Biotechnology and Biosciences}, issn = {2321-8681}, year = {2026}, volume = {Volume: 13, Issue: 2 (July-December) }, pages = {86-99}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23879362} }
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