Synthesis of 5-Aryl-3(2 H)-furanones Using Intramolecular Cyclization of Sulfonium Salts.

Base-induced intramolecular cyclization of novel (4-aryl-2,4-dioxobutyl)methylphenylsulfonium salts prepared from the commercially available 1-arylethanone by a cost-effective process is described in this paper. The reaction was completed within 10 min to produce a family of 2-unsubstituted 5-aryl-3(2 H)-furanones in excellent yield. This procedure is simple, and can be carried out under mild conditions and an ambient atmosphere.