Enantioselective synthesis of δ-ketobutanolides from (L)-glutamic acid via organomanganese reagents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00099-2

Various optically active δ-ketobutanolides were easily prepared in good yields, with an excellent enantiomeric purity, by acylation of organomanganese reagents with the butyrolactone acid chloride 3 prepared from natural (L)-glutamic acid. The reaction takes place in THF under mild conditions (-10°C, 3h or 3% CuCl, -30°C, 20 min.).