Methyl (E)-2-(2-phenylcyclopropylidene)acetate: Synthesis, isomerization, and reaction with 1,3-diphenyl-2-benzofuran

Treatment of 3-methyl-2-phenylcycloprop-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid with potassium tert-butoxide induced its isomerization into trans-2-methylidene-3-phenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid which was converted into methyl ester, and heating of the latter for 1 h in toluene gave methyl (E)-2-(2-phenylcyclopropylidene)acetate. Thermal isomerization of methyl (E)-2-(2-phenylcyclopropylidene)acetate on prolonged heating in toluene afforded 5-methoxy-3-methyl-2-phenylfuran, and the reaction with 1,3-diphenyl-2-benzofuran resulted in [4 + 2]-cycloaddition at the exocyclic double bond.