Lactones; XIII. Grignard Reaction Followed by Phase-Transfer Oxidation: A Convenient Synthesis of γ,γ-Disubstituted γ-Butyrolactones from γ-Butyrolactone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1987-28171

Grignard reaction of γ-butyrolactones, followed by oxidation of the resulting reaction mixture produces symmetrically γ,γ-dialkylated diarylated γ-butyrolactones.Phase transfer oxidation with potassium permanganate in benzene/water proves to be the best out of twelve examined oxidation methods.The synthesis is unsuccessful with sterically hindered or oxidizable Grignard reagents.