Regiodivergent synthesis of trisubstituted furans through Tf2O-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts acylation: a tool for access to tetrahydrofuran lignan analogues

3- or 4-Aroylfurans have been prepared selectively and in high yields from a common precursor by simple tuning of reaction conditions in Friedel–Crafts acylation promoted by triflic anhydride. The formation of products can be explained on the basis of the ring-chain tautomerism occurring in compounds equipped with two neighbouring carboxylic functions. Since 4-aroylfuran derivatives show a typical lignan backbone, suitable hydrogenation conditions were found out to gain tetrahydrofuran lignans.