Straightforward method for the synthesis of 2H ‐furo[3,2‐b]pyran‐2‐one derivatives starting from allomaltol

Abstract We developed a facile approach for the preparation of a rare 2H‐furo[3,2‐b]pyran‐2‐one system. The suggested method is based on a two‐step process using unsubstituted allomaltol as a starting compound. The key stage of the considered route is a condensation of 2‐(2‐aryl‐2‐oxoethyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐4‐ones with 1,1‐carbonyldiimidazole. The advantages of the presented method are commercially available starting materials and convenient experimental procedures including simple isolation of the target compounds. The structure of one of the 2H‐furo[3,2‐b]pyran‐2‐ones was confirmed by x‐ray diffraction.