Abstract: | Synthesis of 12-Cyano-15-hexadecanolide by Ring Enlargement of 1-(3′-Hydroxybutyl)-2-oxocyclododecane-1-carbonitrile In the presence of Bu4NF, 2-oxocyclododecane-1-carbonitrile ( 1 ) reacted with acrylaldehyde to form the corresponding aldehyde 2 which was methylated, e.g. with CH3 TiOCH(CH3)2]3. The resulting 1-(3′-hydroxybutyl)-2-oxocyclododecane-1-carbonitrile ( 5 ) was converted to 12-cyano-15-hexadecanolide ( 6 ) in nearly quantitative yield under the influence of Bu4NF. |