3-substituted furan systems can be obtained by alkylation of 3-lithium furans with various electrophiles in the presence of hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide in good yields. The 2- or 5-position of 3-methyl furan is blocked with high regioselectivity by silylation. After metalation and alkylation of the remaining free α-position and subsequent desilylation the 2,3- and 2,4-disubstituted furans are