A novel rearrangement of 2(5H)-furanones

A novel rearrangement of 2(5H)-furanones is described. When refluxed in aq. Ethanolic solution in the presence of excess KOH, the 2,5-dihydro-2-oxofuran-3-carboxamides 6 underwent a novel rearrangement to the corresponding 4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-2-(phenylamino)-3-furancarboxylic acids 1 in moderate-to-excellent yields.