Furans with side-chains at C(2) of various lengths terminating in diazomethyl keto groups are shown to undergo Rh*(OAc),-catalyzed furan unravelling with the production of 2-cyclopentenone, 2-cyclohexenone, and 2-cycloheptenone to each of whose olefinic C(p) is attached an acrylaldehyde unit. Interposition of a cyclohexane or a methylaminomethylene moiety between the furan and diazoketo functions leads to the formation of a hydroindenone and pyrrolone, respectively. Replacement of the diazomethylketo terminus by an cc-diazoethylketo system or a a-diazo-b-keto-ester function produces 2-substituted 2-cycloalkenones. A furan with a C,, diazomethylketo-terminating side-chain at C(3) is described to be transformed into a 4-formylmethylidene-2-cyclohexenone.Introduction. -In a recent, broad study of the decomposition of ethyl diazoacetate,