Improved synthesis of pyrylium salts leading to 2,4-disubstituted diarylfurans via novel mechanism

Improved synthesis of pyrylium salts from either substituted benzoic acids or their methyl esters, and substituted acetophenone is reported en route to the synthesis of 2,4-diarylfurans. The mechanism involved in the formation of the pyrylium salt using these starting materials is proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.