Annulated butanolides by ring closing metathesis of diallyltetronic acid derivatives

3,3-Diallyldihydrofuran-2,4-diones 5 with two identical allyl residues were obtained by Tsuji–Trost-type Pd-catalysed allylation of either 4-O-allyltetronates or 3-allyltetronic acids. Allylation of sodium 3-allyltetronate with a second allyl acetate gave mixed derivatives 5 as did the Claisen rearrangement of 4-O-allyl 3-allyltetronates 6 under microwave conditions. Compounds 5 and 6 were converted to butanolides with 3,3-spirocyclopentenyl or 3,4-cycloalkanyl annulation by ring closing metathesis with Grubbs catalysts.