[A convenient synthesis of furans using bromacetyl-pyran-2-one].

Abstract Conversions of 3-bromacetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-ones (3beta-brom-dehydroacetic acids) with amines are highly influenced by the type of amine. In contrast to aniline, where a dehydroacetic acid derivative was obtained, utilization of phenylethylamine in acetone gave a rearrangement-reaction to a basically substituted furan-2-one. In natural products furan-2-ones as butenolides are of particular importance.