Oxidation of azidoalkyl furans

The oxidation reactions of various azidoalkyl furans were explored under different conditions to access structurally complex compounds from simple starting materials in an operationally simple, single step reaction. The strategically placed azide functional groups on the alkyl chain of the furan led to the discovery of a new and simple method for the synthesis of five-, six-, and seven-membered nitrogen heterocycles bearing prochiral centers and stereocenters.