The reactions of 5-arylfuran-2-carboxaldehydes with seven compounds containing an active methylene group have been studied in acetic anhydride, by both "classical" heating and under microwave assisted conditions. The compounds used are: ethyl 1,3-dioxo-indane-2-carboxylate, 2-amino-1-methyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (creatinine), 2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (2-thiohydantoin), 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione, 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)acetic acid, hippuric acid and 4-phenyl-4-oxobutanoic acid. The beneficial effect of microwave irradiation on these condensations was found in a shortening of the reaction time and increase in the yields.