A series of isoaurones have been synthesized for the first time from substituted acetophenones via benzo-2 (3H)-furanone in three steps. Geometrical isomers of the isoaurones were separated. The differences in the proton and carbon NMR spectra of the E- and Z-isoaurones afford a useful method for distinguishing between the two isomers. Marginalin, a metabolite of Dytiscus marginalis has been synthesized and the spectral ...