A convenient one-pot synthesis of substituted 2-pyrone derivatives

2-Pyrone derivatives were prepared in a one step procedure from readily available (chlorocarbonyl)phenyl ketene and 1,3-diketones such as 2,4-pentanedione, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione, 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, 1,3-dimethyl-pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione and ethyl 2,4-dioxopentanoate. A mechanism is presented to account for the formation of the products. This method provides an easy route to prepare 3,4,5,6-tetrasubstituted 2-pyrones in good to excellent yields and in a short experimental time.