An expeditious enantioselective synthesis of γ-lactones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)88894-2

α-Alkoxyorganolithium reagents react with α,β-unsaturated trimethylhydrazides to give γ-alkoxytrimethylhydrazides in moderate to good yields. Acid hydrolysis of the latter compounds yields γ-lactones. A short enantioselective route to (S)-hexanolide is described.