Aromatization of aliphatic compounds—III: Abnormal michael addition to diethyl-α-acetyl-α'-methyl succinate

While isobutyl vinyl ketone reacts with α-acetyl-α'-methyl succinate to give a normal Michael adduct, the Mannich base or its quaternary derivative as a source of vinylketonc gives the butenolide derivative 8a. Isobutyl cyclohexenoneacetic acid (1b) previously stated to be the reaction product was present only as a by-product. When α-acetyl-α'-methyl succinate is treated with acrylic acid derivatives only butenolides 8c–8f were obtained.