A new rapid and facile synthesis of two natural products with the structure of 3(2H)furanone is described by a cyclisation catalysed by cesium fluoride.
The stereoselective dehydration of 5-(2-hydroxyalkyl)-3(2H)-furanones is accomplished conveniently by the treatment with Me3SiCl in acetonitrile to give 5-[(E)-1-alkenyl]-3(2H)-furanones.