Substituted dimethyl 1, 4-pentadiene-1, 2-dicarboxylates (1 or 3) may be prepared by AlCl3- promoted or thermal ene reaction of olefins with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Lactonization of these adducts is catalyzed by acid. In the presence of 80% H2SO4 the predominant product (ca. 80%) is a (Z)-dihydro-3-carbomethoxymethylene-2 (3 H)-furanone (2 or 4). Cyclization with anhydrous HCl affords a mixture of products, the composition of ...