The reaction of 2,3-dihydrofuran with alkenyl triflates in benzene or
toluene in the presence of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene and a cat
alytic amount of Pd{(R)-BINAP}2 gave optically active 2-alkenyl-2,3-di
hydrofurans in high enantioselectivities (>96-87% ee). Under similar r
eaction conditions, 1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-pyrroline was alkenylated in
>99-96% ee.