2,3-Dihydrofuran

2,3-Dihydrofuran is a heterocyclic compound with the formula C4H6O. It is isomeric with 2,5-dihydrofuran. 2,3-Dihydrofuran is one of the simplest enol ethers. It is a colorless volatile liquid.

Reactions
It undergoes lithiation upon treatment with butyl lithium. The resulting 2-lithio derivative is a versatile intermediate.

Synthesis and occurrence
2,3-Dihydrofurans are intermediates in the Feist–Benary synthesis of furans from α-halogen ketones and β-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.