Abstract Thermolysis of 2, 2, 5, 5-tetrasubstituted 4-diazodihydrofuran-3-ones in protic (BnOH) and aprotic (DMSO) media, in contrast to photolysis, gives rise to the formation of 2, 2, 4, 5-substituted 3 (2H)-furanones as a result of 1, 2-alkyl (aryl) shift. The thermal stability of diazodihydrofuranones in these processes is determined by the nature of the substituents at the C-5 atom of the heterocyclic structure: alkyl and electron-donating groups in the para- ...