A Versatile Synthesis of Butenolides. Total Synthesis of (±)-Mintlactone.-The α,β-unsaturated esters (I) are deprotonated and methylated to yield the α-methyl β,γ-unsaturated carboxylates (III). These are converted to the corresponding epoxy esters (IV). Whereas base-induced cleavage of (IVa) only yields the . beta.-hydroxy ester (V), acidic or basic treatment of (IVb) and (IVc) results in the formation of the butenolides (VI) and mintlactone and isomintlactone (VII) which are constituents of peppermint oil. -(CORY, R. M.; RITCHIE, B. M.; SHRIER, A. M.; Tetrahedron Lett. 31 (1990) 47, 6789-6792; Dep. Chem., Univ. Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Can. N6A 5B7; EN)
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