It was found that ethyl 4, 4-dimethoxy-2-(phenylthio) butyrate and 3-tosylpropanal ethylene acetal are useful starting materials for the preparation of 3-substituted furans. Several 3- substituted furans, including dendrolasin [3-(4, 8-dimethyl-3, 7-nonadienyl)-furan], were prepared by the reaction of these compounds with alkyl halides in good yields.
