Synthesis of 2,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-5H-1-benzopyran-5-ones and 3-(6-Oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)alkanoic Acids by Reduction of 4,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2,5(3H)-diones

Comparative results on the reduction of 4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7,7-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2,5(3H)-diones 1 are reported. Hydride reduction (LiAlH₄ in Et₂O or NaBH₄ in i-PrOH) affords 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-5H-1-benzopyran-5-ones 5 in 30-60% isolated yield. Photochemical reduction of 1b and 1d (direct irradiation at λ = 300 or 254 nm in i-PrOH, or sensitized irradiation in acetone/i-PrOH or benzene/i-PrOH) gives 3-(6-oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)alkanoic acids 6 in 50–80%, while 1c affords the isomeric 3-(4,4-dimethyl-6-oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)-4-methyl-4-pentenoic acid ( 9 ) in 73% isolated yield. Electrochemical reduction (Hg, CH₃CN, Bu₄N⁺ClO, ?2.6 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺) requires more than 4 Farad/mol for the consumption of 1 without any major product being detected.