A Convenient Synthesis of 2,4(3H,5H)-Furandione (β-Tetronic Acid)

Abstract
The chemical versatility of 2,4(3H,5H)-furandione (β-tetronic acid, 1) and its synthetic applicability are of considerable current interest1b,2a-k. The multifunctional character of this small molecule confers an intriguing synthetic potential which has prompted us to develop synthetic schemes utilizing it as a synthon for certain heterocyclic systems.