@-Chloroarylidenemalonates I have been transformed into p-(ary1oxy) arylidenemalonates 11. The ring closure of I1 in polyphosphoric acid leads to ethyl flavone-3-carboxylates and related compounds 111. Hydrolysis of I1 gives 8-(ary1oxy) arylidenemalonic acids V, which on treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid or trifluoroacetic acid-trifluoroacetic anhydride give flavone-3-carboxylic acids and related compounds VI.
