Synfacts 2009(4): 0444-0444  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088102
Organo- and Biocatalysis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

A Versatile Synthesis of Lactones via a NHC-Catalyzed Ring Expansion

Contributor(s): Benjamin List, Kristina Zumbansen
L. Wang, K. Thai, M. Gravel
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 March 2009 (online)

Significance

Gravel and co-workers report a facile synthesis of lactones via a ring expansion of oxacycloalkane-2-carboxaldehydes. Imidazoli­nium-derived precatalyst 1 was found to be optimal, whereas thiazolium-derived catalysts seem to be inactive for this transformation. This method is suitable for five-, six-, and seven-membered lactones.