A facile synthesis of 5-substituted 2-furylacetates via 6-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-hexenoates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)01612-L

6-Substituted 3-ethoxy-6-hydroxy-2,4-hexadenoates (4) which were prepared by reaction of ethyl (4E)-3-ethoxy-5-formyl-2,4-pentadienoate (3a) with nucleophiles or sodium borohydride reduction of 6-substituted 3-ethoxy-6-oxo-2,4-hexadenoates (3b-e) have been converted in very good yields into 5-substituted 2-furylacetates (5) by treating with 47% HBr in THF.