General Approach to the Synthesis of Naturally Occurring δ-Lactones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00324a008

The adducts from thermal and/or high-pressure Diels-Alder reactions between 1-methoxybuta-1,3-diene and carbonyl compounds (glyoxylates, aldehydes) are utilized as the starting materials for the syntheses of naturally occurring δ-lactones.Total syntheses of massoilactone, 6-phenyl-2-pyrone, and 2-methoxy-6-undecyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran are described.A general approach to these syntheses is presented.