Abstract: | Novel reactions of 7,7-dichloro- and 7,7,8-trichloro-3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-6-carboxylates 5 with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in alcohol gave pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-2,5-diones 8 via (Z)-(2H-pyran-2-on-3-yl)butenoates 7. On the other hand, the same treatment of 7,7,8-trichloro-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo-[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-5-carboxylate 6b afforded 2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4,7-diene-5-carboxylate 14 via cyclobutene formation and SN2′ displacement by attack of the alkoxy anion. |