A New Method for the Synthesis of 2-Substituted 2-Buten-4-olide <i>via</i> α-Substituted β-Phenylthio-γ-butyrolactone

Abstract

Abstract The addition reaction of lithium benzenethiolate to 2-buten-4-olide in the presence of aldehydes and ketones afforded α-substituted β-phenylthio-γ-butyrolactones (4a–f). The dehydrosulfenylation of 4a–d proceeded smoothly to give 2-substituted 2-buten-4-olide by the reflux of α-substituted β-phenylsulfinyl-γ-butyrolactone, which was prepared by the oxidation of 4a–d, in the presence of triethylamine.