γ-(2,4-Dioxobut-1-ylidene)butenolides were prepared with very good regioselectivity
by reaction of (2,4-dioxobutylidene)triphenylphosphoranes with maleic anhydrides.
The reaction of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with phthaloyl dichloride afforded benzo-annulated
γ-(2,4-dioxobut-1-ylidene)butenolides; the formation of these products can be explained
by formation of iso-phthaloyl dichloride and attack of the bis-silyl enol ether onto the latter.
butenolides - phosphoranes -
O-heterocycles - phthalic acid - silyl enol ethers