Facile Access to 3-Ulosonic Acids<i>via</i>a SmI₂-Mediated Reformatsky Reaction on Aldonolactones

Abstract

The use of SmI2 as a two electron reducing agent in conjunction with an α-bromo ester or nitrile effects addition to simple lactones and aldonolactones by a Reformatsky-type reaction providing a rapid and efficient access to ketals and 3-ulosonic acid derivatives respectively.