Synthesis 2001(10): 1519-1522
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16098
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A New Synthesis of exo-Methylene Butyrolactones from Nitroalkanes

Roberto Ballini*, Giovanna Bosica, Damiana Livi
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche dell’Università, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
Fax: +39(737)637345; e-Mail: ballini@camserv.unicam.it;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 May 2001
Publication Date:
23 September 2004 (online)

Abstract

A versatile route to exo-methylene butyrolactones was developed by employing a three step reaction sequence consisting of Michael addition of primary nitroalkanes 1 to ethyl (2-bromomethyl)acrylate (2), then Nef conversion of the nitro derivatives 3, and subsequent lactonization of the obtained keto esters 4. The method is chemoselective for important functionalities such as ester, C=C double bond and hydroxyl.