The Synthesis and Regioselective Hydrolysis of Dialkyl 2—Phenylfuran （an 2—Phenyltetrahydrofuran）—3,4—dicarboxylates

Dialkyl 2-phenylfuran (and 2-phenyltetrahydrofuran)-3,4-dicarboxylates (1,2,5-7), wich are potential precursors of the synthesis of furofuran and tetrahydrofurofuran lignans, can be selectively hydrolyzed to monoacid(3,8) by potassium hydroxide. The regioselective hydrolysis was affected significantly by the 2-phenyl group of the furan or tetrahydrofuran skeleton. The geometric structures of 3,8 and related compounds were elucidated and verified by NMR spectra.