“…3-(2-Oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)isocoumarin (7). The reaction of 1 with homophthaiic anhydride (6) was carried out in a sealed tube at 140 °C for 4 h. After removal of sodium diethyl phosphate by filtration, the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel to give 3.40 g (74%) of 7: mp 174-175 °C (from acetonitrile); IR (Nujol) 1760 and 1715 (C=0) and 1650 cm-1 (C=C); NMR (CD3CN) 2.64 (m, 2 H, methylene protons), 3.84 (t, J = 9 Hz, 1 H, methine proton), 4.42 (m, 2 H, OCH2), 6.65 (s, 1 H, vinylic proton), 7.30-7.90 (m, 3 H, aromatic protons), and 8.24 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1 H, aromatic proton); mass spectrum (70 eV) m/e 230 (M+).…”