Chemistry of iminofurans: V. Synthesis, structure, and cyclization of 4-R-4-oxo-2-[2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethylidene)hydrazino]but-2-enoic acids

Reactions of 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione hydrazone with 4-aryl-2-hydroxy-4-oxobut-2-enoic and 2-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-enoic acids provided 4-aryl-4-oxo-2-[2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethylidene) hydrazino]but-2-enoic and 5,5-dimethyl-4-oxo-2-[2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethylidene)hydrazino]hex-2-enoic acids. The acids derivatives can exist in solutions as Z- and β-enehydrazino-or β-ketohydrazone forms, and under the treatment with acetic anhydride they undergo cyclization into 5-aryl- and 5-tert-butyl-3-[2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethylidene)hydrazono]-2,3-furandiones.