Reaction of 6-aryl-3-ethoxy-6-hydroxy-2,4-hexadienoates with potassium hydroxide in ethanol gave 5-benzoyl-3-ethoxycyclopent-2-en-1-ones in moderate yields.
6-Substituted 3-ethoxy-6-hydroxy-2,4-hexadienoates (4) which were prepared by reaction of ethyl (4E)-3-ethoxy-5-formyl-2,4-pentadienoate (3a) with nucleophiles or sodium borohydride reduction of 6-substituted 3-ethoxy-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoates (3b-e) have been converted in very good yields into 5-substituted 2-furylacetates (5) by treating with 47%HBr in THF.