Grignard reaction
The mechanism of this reaction is proposed to be a 4-π electrocyclization very much like the Nazarov cyclization reaction. To obtain the 2-furyl carbinols, Piancatelli subjected furfural, an inedible biomass, to a Grignard reaction. This is then submitted to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis to cause a molecular rearrangement and obtain the final 2-furyl carbinols.