2,3-Dihydrofuran is a heterocyclic compound with the formula . It is isomeric with 2,5-dihydrofuran. 2,3-Dihydrofuran is one of the simplest enol ethers. It is a colorless volatile liquid.
It undergoes lithiation upon treatment with butyl lithium. The resulting 2-lithio derivative is a versatile intermediate.
2,3-Dihydrofurans are intermediates in the FeistâÂÂBenary synthesis of furans from ñ-halogen ketones and ò-dicarbonyl compounds.
The 2,3-dihydrofuran ring can be synthesized by several methods. These routes usually involve cyclization or cycloaddition reactions of carbonyl compounds using metal-containing catalysts. Iodine can also serve as a catalyst as well as Raney nickel.