β‐Cleavage of Bis(homoallylic) Potassium Alkoxides. Preparation of 3‐Hydroxypropyl and 4‐Hydroxybutyl Propenyl Ketones from γ‐ and δ‐Lactones. Synthesis of (±)‐Rose oxide

Abstract

Abstract Starting from γ‐ and δ‐lactones 1 – 3 , a two‐step preparation of 3‐hydroxypropyl and 4‐ hydroxybutyl propenyl ketones 10 – 18 is described, involving as the key step the β‐cleavage of the bis(homoallylic) potassium alkoxides 4a – 9a . The novel methodology is illustrated by a short synthesis of (±)‐rose oxide( 20 ).