| Abstract: | Ethyl acetoacetate reacted with 3-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone in the presence of base to give 3-carbethoxy-4,5-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethylfuran (I). Acid catalyzed dehydration of I gave the corresponding furan (III). Saponification of III gave 2-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-3-furoic acid which was decarboxylated to yield 2-methyl-4-trifluoromethylfuran (V) for which a structure proof is presented. Conversion of the methyl groups of III and V to formyl groups is described. |
