Dicarbonyl compounds succinic anhydride

Continuing with (13), all we have left is a 1,4-dicarbonyl relationship. The best strategy is to use the available 1,4 compound succinic anhydride in a Friedel-Crafts reaction (Table 25.1). 

Potential 2,5-dihydroxy compounds (185) exist in the dicarbonyl forms (186). Succinic anhydride (186 Z = O) on silylation is converted into 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)furan (187) the latter compound readily participates in Diels-Alder addition reactions (80TL3423). Reaction of thiosuccinic anhydride (186 Z = S) with the triphenylphosphorane Et02CH=PPh3 gives a product which exists in the aromatic form (188) (75LA1967). 

Methoxy- and 2-acetoxy-furans are available from 2,5-dimethoxy- and 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydro-furans (18.1.1.4) via acid-catalysed elimination. They undergo Diels-Alder cycloadditions the adducts can be further transformed into benzenoid compounds by acid-catalysed opening. 3,4-Dihydroxyfuran is undetectable in tautomeric equilibria between mono-enol and dicarbonyl forms the dimethyl ether behaves as a normal furan, undergoing easy a-electrophilic substitution, mono- or dilithiation at the a-position(s), and Diels-Alder cycloadditions. 2,5-Bis(trimethylsilyloxy)furan is synthesised from succinic anhydride it too undergoes Diels-Alder additions readily. Both furan-2- and -3-thiols can be obtained by reaction of lithiated furans with sulfur in each case the predominant tautomer is the thiol form. ... 

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