Butenolide

Butenolides are a class of with a four-carbon heterocycle ring structure.Joule JA, Mills K. (2000). Heterocyclic Chemistry 4th ed. Blackwell Science Publishing: Oxford, UK They are sometimes considered redox derivatives of furan. The simplest butenolide is 2-furanone, which is a common component of larger and is sometimes referred to as simply "butenolide". A common biochemistry important butenolide is ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Butenolide derivatives known as are produced by some plants on exposure to high temperatures due to . In particular, 3-methyl-2 H-furo2,3- cpyran-2-one was found to trigger seed germination in plants whose reproduction is fire-dependent.

• Synthesis of butenolides