γ-Lactones from malonic acid derivatives

The acid catalyzed cyclization of isopropylidene malonate derivatives of ketones to form α-earboxy-γ-lactones has been shown to occur with boron trifluoride etherate or p-toluenesulfonic acid, as well as with concentrated sulfuric or polyphosphoric acids. A similar cyclization of a diethyl ylidenemalonate to a lactone ester, in relatively poor yield, has also been accomplished. Acid catalyzed cyclization of the ylidenemalononitrile derived from pinacolone to form an α-carbamoyl-γ-lactone has been shown to occur with rearrangement. However, that derived from 2,2-dimethyleyclohexanone cyclized to the secondary carbon of the ring without rearrangement. The isopropylidene malonate derivatives of several ring-substituted and bridged ketones have been converted to α-earboxy-γ-laetones without rearrangement.     

Identification and Synthesis of New γ-Lactones from Tuberose Absolute (Polianthes tuberosa)

Six unsaturated γ-lactones, (Z)-5-octen-4-olide ( 1 ), (Z)-5-decen-4-olide ( 2 ).(Z)-6-nonen-4-olide ( 3 ), (Z)-6-dodecen-4-olide ( 4 ), (Z, Z)-6,9-dodecadien-4-olide ( 5 ), and tuberolide ( 6 ) have been identified for the first time in tuberose absolute (from Polianthes tuberosa L.). All structures were corroborated by synthesis and all, except 3 and 4 , are new.

1 The name ‘tuberolactone’ has been suggested for (Z, Z)-2,7-decadien-5-olide [1]. We propose the name ‘tuberolide’ for the bicyclic lactone 6 . (IUPAC name (1R*,5S*,Z)-6-(2′-pentenyl)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one).

An improved method for the stereoselective synthesis of (±)-cis-bicyclo [4.3.0]-non-3-en-7-one ( 23 ) by an AlCl₃-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction is reported.     

β-Cleavage of Bis(homoallylic) Potassium Alkoxides. Preparation of 3-Hydroxypropyl and 4-Hydroxybutyl Propenyl Ketones from γ- and δ-Lactones. Synthesis of (±)-Rose oxide

Starting from γ- and δ-lactones 1 – 3 , a two-step preparation of 3-hydroxypropyl and 4- hydroxybutyl propenyl ketones 10 – 18 is described, involving as the key step the β-cleavage of the bis(homoallylic) potassium alkoxides 4a – 9a . The novel methodology is illustrated by a short synthesis of (±)-rose oxide( 20 ).     

A Novel Synthesis of γ,δ‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from α‐Formyl‐γ‐lactones

A preparatively useful one‐step transformation of γ,γ‐disubstituted α‐formyl‐γ‐lactones into trisubstituted γ,δ‐unsaturated aldehydes is described, by means of catalytic amounts of either AcOH or AcOEt in the vapor phase over a glass support. A mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

Synthesis of N-substituted α-aminoacids from 4-hydroxycoumarin

A new series, the N-(methylene-4-oxocoumarinyl)aminoacids were synthesized by condensation of 4-hydroxycoumarin with α-aminoacids in the presence of excess ethyl orthoformate.     

Synthesis of γγγ-trifluorocarbonyl compounds

γγγ-Trifluorocarbonyl compounds are easily obtained in a good yield by introduction of the 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl moiety (CF₃-CH₂-) on the -methylene group of a ketone.     

γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from γ‐ and δ‐Lactones in One Step. Preliminary Communication

A one‐step transformation of γ‐ and δ‐(spiro)lactones into γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐unsaturated aldehydes with an excess of formic acid in the vapor phase over a supported manganese catalyst is described for the first time. The scope and limitations of this new reaction are shown with different lactones as substrate, and a mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

Substituted γ-Lactones. 35 . Reduction of 4-aroyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones

The reduction of 4-aroyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanons 1a-c was investigated using different reducing agents. Sodium borohydride reacts with type 1 compounds by loss of water to yield 4-(arylmethylene)-2,3(4H,5H)-furandiones 2a-c . Platinum or charcoal supported by pallodium chloride transforms 1a to 4-benzyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone ( 3). Compounds 2a and 2b react with o-phenylenediamine to give 3-(E-(1′-hydroxymethyl-2′-aryl)ethenyl]-2-quinoxalinones 4a and 4b . The lactone 3 under the same conditions splits out formaldehyde and forms 3-(2′-phenylethyl)-2-quinoxalinone ( 6 ). The structure assignments of the novel compounds are based on elemental analysis and nmr as well as ir spectroscopic data.     

Synthesis and polymerization of cyano-substituted monomers derived from 4-amino-α-methyl-β,β′-dicyanostyrene

A novel class of polymer precursors of the general formula, where A is an aromatic structure bearing amide or imide linkages, were synthesized. More particularly, 4-aminoacetophenone was condensed with malononitrile to afford 4-amino-α-methyl-β,β′-dicyanostyrene ( 1 ). The condensation of the latter with half molar amount of terephthaloyl dichloride, pyromellitic dianhydride, or benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride yielded the polymer precursors. In addition, compound 1 was condensed with an equimolar amount of maleic anhydride to afford the corresponding maleimide. The monomers were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and DTA. Crosslinked resins were obtained upon curing the monomers at 300°C for 72 h. They were stable up to 381-422°C in N₂ or air and afforded anaerobic char yields of 64-68% at 800°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.