The last two decades have witnessed much interest in the development and analysis of organic substrates which behave as chemical systems capable of selective and catalytic oxygenation with molecular oxygen [1]. Singlet oxygen (~O 2) has been used frequently to carry out such oxidations [2]. Furan and its derivatives, whose synthesis is basically achieved either through reaction of o~-hydroxyaldehydes with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds or through acid-catalyzed dehydration of carbohydrates [3] as substrates, can be used as acceptors of singlet oxygen to study either reaction kinetics or biological roles [4].
As 1,3-dienes, furans can undergo I o 2 cycloadditions, i.e. selective cis-l,4-dioxygenations, which produces bicyclic endoperoxides whose decomposition yields useful products. Depending on the substituents, the reaction conditions, and the solvents used, furan endoperoxides may be precursors of substituted hydroperoxides or dioxiranes [5]. Furan endoperoxides are of interest in the elucidation of oxidation mechanism such as epoxidation, anomalous ozonolysis, and oxidative decarbonylation [6].