One-pot Synthesis of α,γ-Disubstituted Tetronic Acids from α-Hydroxyallyl Esters: A Novel ”Tandem-Wittig-Claisen”-Reaction

Abstract

A novel ”one-pot”-method for the synthesis of α,γ-disubstituted tetronic acids 1 from readily accessible allylic esters of α-hydroxy acids 5 and keteneylidene triphenylphosphorane 6 has been developed. The underlying ”Tandem-Wittig-Claisen” reaction proceeds under mild and neutral conditions giving rise to high yields and optional isolation of unrearranged intermediates 9.