Synthesis of New Substituted 2,3-Dihydro-1,4-dioxin-2-ones and 1,4-Dioxan-2-ones

3-Alkyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxin-2-ones reacted with acetyl chloride in the presence of zinc(II) chloride to give 5-acetyl-3-alkyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxin-2-ones. Oxidation of the latter with hydrogen peroxide in formic acid, followed by treatment with magnesium bromide, afforded 3-alkyl-6-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-diones. Chlorination of 6-hydroxymethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-ones with thionyl chloride and subsequent dehydrochlorination led to formation of 6-methylene-1,4-dioxan-2-ones.