Transition-metal catalyzed synthesis of δ-hydroxy-γ-lactones from bis(trimethylsilyl) ketene acetals and allylic acetates via γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids. Comments on the formation of α-cyclopropyl carboxylic acids

Bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetals react with allylic acetates in the presence of Pd(0) complexes to give γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids together with α-cyclopropyl carboxylic acids. The unsaturated acids can be converted catalytically to δ-hydroxy-γ-lactones by the H2O2/MTO system (methyltrioxorhenium) and to butenolides by Pd(II) catalyzed intramolecular cyclization reactions. The structure of two of these lactones has been established by X-ray analysis. The mechanism of the formation of the cyclopropanic acids will be discussed.