New Synthesis of 5-Arylfuran-2,3-diones

Abstract Literature data on the main preparative methods of synthesis of 5-arylfuran-2,3-diones have been considered. A new convenient protocol has been proposed for the synthesis of these compounds by heating 4-aryl-2,4-dioxobutanoic acids with acetyl bromide in anhydrous chloroform under reflux conditions. The structure of 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)furan-2,3-dione has been confirmed by X-ray analysis.