Thermal transformations of methyl 3-(2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydro-2-furyl)propionate

The primary products of the pyrolysis of diastereomers of methyl 3-(2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dihydro-2-furyl)propionate are methyl 3-(5-methoxy-2-furyl)- -and 3-(5-methoxy-2,5-dihydro-2-furylidene)propionates. The pyrolysis products also contain methyl 3-(2-furyl)acrylate, whereas methyl 3-methoxy-3-(2-furyl)-propionate is formed when the pyrolysis is carried out in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid.