A novel and efficient macrolactonization of ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids using 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA)

A variety of lactones were prepared in high yields at room temperature from the corresponding ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids using 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride in the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine. A similar reaction also occurs with triethylamine when using a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine 1-oxide as an effective promoter for the intramolecular condensation reaction. These methods were successfully applied to the synthesis of erythro-aleuritic acid lactone and the efficiency of the cyclizations is compared to those of other reported mixed anhydride methods.