Synthesis of Alkyl 4-(1-Alkyl-2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates

Zinc enolates derived from 1-aryl-2-bromoalkanones react with alkyl 5,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylates to give alkyl 4-(1-alkyl-2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates. Reactions of the latter with amines, such as p-toluidine, cyclohexylamine, and piperidine, lead to the corresponding carboxamides.