Abstract

5-Acetoxymethyl- and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-vinylfuran were synthesized by two routes. The first route starts from 2-methylfuran and the second from furfuryl acetate. The latter route, involving successive Vilsmeier-Haack and Wittig reactions, is suitable for producing 5-acetoxymethyl-2-vinylfuran and 5-hydroxymethyl-2 vinylfuran in 68% and 60% yields, respectively.