Oxydations par le carbonate d'argent sur celite—XIII : Preparation de lactones

Silver carbonate on Celite oxidizes primary 1,4-, 1,5-, and 1,6-diols and primary-tertiary diols into lactones in high yield. Primary—secondary diols lead to mixtures of hydroxy-ketones and lactones. Details are given on the synthesis of (±) mevalonolactone.