Efficient Oxidative Cleavage of Tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to γ‐Lactones by a 2‐Iodobenzamide Catalyst in Combination with Oxone^®

Abstract

Abstract An environmentally friendly oxidative cleavage of tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to the corresponding γ‐lactones using a catalytic amount of 2‐iodo‐ N ‐isopropylbenzamide has been developed. The reaction of various tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols with the catalyst in the presence of Oxone ® (2 KHSO 5 ⋅KHSO 4 ⋅K 2 SO 4 ) as a co‐oxidant in DMF at room temperature successfully affords the corresponding lactones in good to high yields, and recovery of the catalyst is readily accomplished using a reductive work‐up. This method is notable because it enables the transformation of tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to γ‐lactones under mild conditions without the use of any toxic heavy metals. magnified image