Functionalization and cyclization reactions of various acetanilides with 4-benzoyl-5-phenyl-2,3-furandione. Experimental and theroetical investigations

4-Benzoyl-5-phenyl-2,3-furandione (1) reacts with acetanilides 3a-c under different conditions and gives the new open chained dibenzoylacetic acid derivatives 5a-c , 6 and a new heterocyclic compound such as oxazole derivative 7. The electronic structures of the reactants, transitional states and final products of the reactions are investigated on the basis of AM1 method.