Synthesis of substituted 3-furan-2(5H)-ones via an anthracene Diels–Alder sequence

Deprotonation then electrophilic quench of the lactone derived from the Diels–Alder addition adduct of anthracene and maleic anhydride gave α-substituted lactones in good yield. Of particular note was the reaction with chlorotrimethylsilane which gave only the C-silylated product. Flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of the alkylated products afforded 3-substituted furan-2(5H)-ones in good overall yield.