2-(1-Chloroalkyl)furans in the reaction with sodium diethyl phosphite

2-(1-Chloroethyl) and 2-(1-chloro-2-methylpropyl)furans react with sodium diethyl phosphite to give two products, 2-(1-diethoxyphosphorylmethyl)furan and 2-alkyl-5-(diethoxyphosphoryloxy)furan. The fraction of the latter product increases with increasing size of the alkyl radical. 2-Methyl substitution in the substrate completely suppresses phosphate formation. 2-(1-Chloroethyl)-5-(2-methylpropyl)furan under the action of sodium diethyl phosphite eliminates hydrogen chloride to give the corresponding alkene.