A Convenient Synthesis of 3-Functionalized 5-Alkoxymethyl- and 5-Phenoxymethyl-2(5H)-Furanones and Their Transformations into Related Epoxy and Methylene Lactones
A convenient procedure for the preparation of 3-functionalized 5-alkoxymethyl- and 5-phenoxymethyl-2(5H)-furanones is described. The method is based on the condensation of various β-alkoxy- or β-phenoxy-α-hydroxy ketones with β-activated esters in the presence of catalytic amounts of sodium methoxide. Results are reported showing the possible transformations of these 2(5H)-furanones into related epoxy and α-methylene lactones.