| Abstract: | Synthesis of 2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-hexen-4-olid The title compound 13a, a substance used in food-flavoring, was synthesized in 89% overall yield, starting from methyl 2-hydeoxy-3-butenoate (3a). The key step in this transformation is the isomerization of the C?C bond in 3a which yielded methyl 2-oxobutanoate as an intermediate. The latter underwent a self-condensation yielding 2-hydroxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-2-hexen-4-olid ( 11 a), which, after hydrolysis and decarboxylation, gave 13 a. In addition, the syntheses of five other compounds related to 13 a are reported. |
