Michael Addition to trans-Enediones: A Facile Route to 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted Furans

The enediones are useful starting materials for a two-step synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans, wich are not otherwise easily available. Michael addition of active methylene compounds to the enediones led to the two regioisomeric adducts, wich then cyclized to furans under very mild conditions.