4-Aryl-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanones have been selectively synthesized in satisfactory yields by treatment of easily available 3,4-dibromo-2(5H)-furanone either with arylboronic acids in the presence of Ag2O and a catalytic amount of PdCl2(MeCN)2 or with aryl(trialkyl)stannanes in the presence of a catalyst precursor consisting of AsPh3 and a Pd(II) or a Pd(0) compound. These monobromo derivatives have been