Tautomerism and vapor-phase transformations of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF02256908

The relative stability of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and the tautomeric 4-hydroxybutanal was determined by the semi-empirical AM1 method. It was concluded that the cyclic tautomer predominates in the gas phase at 25°C. Vapor-phase dehydration of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran in the presence of porcelain and silica gel L leads to a quantitative yield of 2,3-dihydrofuran.