The photochemistry of 5-phenyl-, 5-(2',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-, 5-(2'-acetoxy-5'-methoxyphenyl)- and 5- (2',5'-diacetoxyphenyl)- 2(3H)-furanone ( 1a-d) has been investigated. Compound 1a yields phenyl vinyl ketone as expected. Similarly, 1b affords the corresponding aryl vinyl ketone but, in this case, photodimerization also occurs. Irradiation of the two o-acetoxyaryl furanones 1c and 1d gives rise to the formation of chromones as the main products. This interesting result can be accounted for in terms of a photochemical opening of the lactonic ring followed by radical addition to the acetoxy group.