A short and efficient synthesis of 4-hydroxy-5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-γ-butyrolactones

The cycloaddition of α,β-epoxyaldehydes or ketones ($\text{2}$) with the ketene acetal MeHC=C(OMe)₂ ($\text{1}$) gives epoxyoxetanes ($\text{3}$) in high yields. Without isolation they can be transformed into 4-hydroxy-5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-γ-butyrolactones ($\text{6}$) via the epoxy esters $\text{4}$ and trihydroxy esters ($\text{5}$). The lactones $\text{6}$ appear to be valuable precursors for the synthesis of 5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-3-methyl-2-5H-furanones ($\text{7}$) and 3-methyl-5-ylidene-2-5H-furanones ($\text{8}$)