Furan forming reactions of cis-2-alken-4-yn-1-ones.

The cis-2-alken-4-yn-1-one, 1-phenyl-cis-2-penten-4-yn-1-one (cis-1), readily dimerizes on treatment with weak acid to give the 1,2-difurylethylenes, trans- and cis-1,2 di(2-(5-phenylfuryl))ethene (trans-1 and cis-2), in 62% and 23% yields, respectively. Trimerization of cis-1 to trans,trans-1,2,3-tri(2-(5-phenylfuryl)cyclopropane (4) occurred as a byproduct of treatment with weak acid. These reactions demonstrate the 2-furylcarbenoid reactivity of cis-2-alken-4-yn-1-ones.