SELECTIVE REACTIONS OF THIOLATE ANIONS WITH 4-HYDROXY-E-2-ALKENOIC ESTERS OR 4-METHANESULFONYLOXY-E-2-ALKENOIC ESTERS. SYNTHESIS OF 2-ALKEN-4-OLIDES (Δα,β-BUTENOLIDES) AND E,E-2,4-ALKADIENOIC ESTERS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1982.1703

Methyl 4-hydroxy-E-2-alkenoates prepared from aldehydes in one step, undergo the Michael reactions with thiolate anions to give 4-alkanolide derivatives, which are converted into 2-alken-4-olides.Methyl 4-methanesulfonyloxy-E-2-alkenoates undergo the substitution reactions, and subsequent treatments give methyl E,E-2,4-alkadienoates.