Ring-Transformation Reactions of 5-Hydroxy-2-oxabicyclo(3.2.0)heptan-4- ones and 5-Hydroxy-2-oxabicyclo(3.2.0)hept-6-en-4-ones.

Dehydrochlorination of chlorinated 5-hydroxy-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-4-ones, 3a-c, which were obtained from the photo[2+2]cycloadditions between 4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone 1 and chloroethylenes, with triethylamine gave 2-ethenyl-3(2H)-furanones 4a,b or 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-3(2H)-furanone 4c. 2-Oxa-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-en-4-ones 7 being [2+2]cycloadducts between 1 and acetylenes gave 2,3-dihydro-3-oxooxepin derivatives 8 by electrocyclic rearrangement.