Functionalization at C-5 and at the C-6 methyl group of 4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone

A new entry to C-5 substituted 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrones has been achieved. The best conditions to prepare the monobromo and the dibromo derivatives at C-3 and the C-6 methyl group of the title pyrone have been defined. The synthetic applicability of the phosphonium salts at CH₃-C-6 of both 4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone, 5 , and dehydroacetic acid, 2 , has also been evaluated.