A series of acetylenic furan derivatives have been synthesized via Pd-catal
yzed coupling reactions of 2-(alkyltel-luro)furan with several terminal alk
ynes. These compounds showed good anti-inflammatory activity in the carrage
enin-induced rat paw edema assay. This represents a new and efficient metho
d for the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. (C) 2001 Elsevie
r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.