2,3-Dihydro-2-hydroxybenzo[b]furan-3-one, the cyclic hemiacetal of 2-hydroxyphenylglyoxal

Abstract

A compound erroneously described as 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxybenzo[b]furan-2-one, the lactone of 2-hydroxymandelic acid, has been shown to be 2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxybenzo[b]furan-3-one, the cyclic hemiacetal of 2-hydroxyphenylglyoxal. Some of its reactions are discussed.