Synthesis of nine-, ten-, and fifteen-membered alkenolides by the oxidative cleavage of the bridging C=C bond in 2-oxabicycloalkenes

Hydroperoxidation of C=C-bridged 2-oxabicycloalkenes in which the five- or six-membered oxacycle is fused with the five-, six-, or twelve-membered hydrocarbon ring was studied. The Cu(OAc)₂-catalyzed decomposition of the resulting hydroperoxides afforded nine-, ten-, or fifteen-membered trans-alkenolides, respectively. The latter compounds were obtained as pairs of regioisomers, with the isomers in which the double bond is more remote from the ether oxygen atom predominating.