Of lactones

Fig. IV-27. Rate of lactonization of 7-hy-droxystearic acid as a function of film pressure.

We conclude this section by citing some examples of ring-opening polymerizations. Table 5.9 lists several examples of ring-opening polymerizations. In addition to the reactions listed, we recall the polymerizations of lactones and lactams exemplified by equations in Table 5.3 and 5.4, respectively. 

Composition. Shellac is primarily a mixture of aUphatic polyhydroxy acids in the form of lactones and esters. It has an acid number of ca 70, a saponification number of ca 230, a hydroxyl number of ca 260, and an iodine number of ca 15. Its average molecular weight is ca 1000. Shellac is a complex mixture, but some of its constituents have been identified. Aleuritic acid, an optically inactive 9,10,16-trihydroxypalmitic acid, has been isolated by saponification. Related carboxyflc acids such as 16-hydroxy- and 9,10-dihydroxypalmitic acids, also have been identified after saponification. These acids may not be primary products of hydrolysis, but may have been produced by the treatment. Studies show that shellac contains carboxyflc acids with long methylene chains, unsaturated esters, probably an aliphatic aldehyde, a saturated aliphatic ester, a primary alcohol, and isolated or unconjugated double bonds. 

Chiral Lactones and Polyesters. Similar to intermolecular reactions described previously. Upases also catalyze intramolecular acylations of hydroxy acids the reactionsults in the formation of lactones. 

The nature of the product strongly depends on the length of the hydroxy acid generally when the hydroxyl group is remote the yield of lactone drops significantly. For example, 10-hydroxydecanoic acid [1679-53-4] does not produce any decanoUde instead, the reaction proceeds by intermolecular oligomerization, and a complex mixture of di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentalactones results (90). However, when Pseudomonas sp. or Candida iylindracea]i 2Lses are incubated with 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid [506-13-8] hexadecanoUde is the predorninant product (91). 

There is probably no better evidence for a template effect than its application directly in the solution of a synthetic problem. Rastetter and PhiUion have utilized a substituted 19-crown-6 compound (shown below in Eq. 2.9) in the formation of macrocyclic lactones. Although there were certain experimental variations and the the possibility of intermolecular potassium ion complexation, the overall formation of lactone was favorable. 

Results of fluorination of lactones with sulfur tetrafluoride depend on the ring size. y-Butyrolactone undergoes ring cleavage to give y-fluorobutyryl fluoride, which IS further fluormated to 1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane. The six-membered 1,4-di-... 

Transition metal catalysis in Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones with formation of lactones 98AG(E)1198. 

Chemical composition and perspectives of using in medicine of lactones and benzofuran derivatives from Cetraria islandica (L) ACH 99MI15. 

Rearrangements and other side-reactions are rare. The ester pyrolysis is therefore of some synthetic value, and is used instead of the dehydration of the corresponding alcohol. The experimental procedure is simple, and yields are generally high. Numerous alkenes have been prepared by this route for the first time. For the preparation of higher alkenes (> Cio), the pyrolysis of the corresponding alcohol in the presence of acetic anhydride may be the preferable method." The pyrolysis of lactones 9 leads to unsaturated carboxylic acids 10 ... 

Figure 3.7 shows some early examples of this type of analysis (39), illustrating the GC determination of the stereoisomeric composition of lactones in (a) a fruit drink (where the ratio is racemic, and the lactone is added artificially) and (b) a yoghurt, where the non-racemic ratio indicates no adulteration. Technically, this separation was enabled on a short 10 m slightly polar primary column coupled to a chiral selective cyclodextrin secondary column. Both columns were independently temperature controlled and the transfer cut performed by using a Deans switch, with a backflush of the primary column following the heart-cut. 

In any form of analysis it is important to determine the integrity of the system and confirm that artefacts are not produced as a by-product of the analytical procedure. This is particularly important in enantiomeric analysis, where problems such as the degradation of lactone and furanon species in transfer lines has been reported (40). As chromatography unions, injectors, splitters, etc. become more stable and greater degrees of deactivation are possible, problems of this kind will hopefully be reduced. Some species, however, such as methyl butenol generated from natural emissions, still remain a problem, undergoing dehydration to yield isoprene on some GC columns. 

E. Guichard, A. Kustermann and A. Mosandl, Chkal flavour compounds from apricots. Distr ibution of -) lactones enantiomers and stereodifferentiation of dihydroactinidiolide using multi-dimensional gas chromatogr aphy , 7. Chromatogr. 498 396-401 (1990). 

Less important methods are the self condensation of w-hydroxy acid and the ring opening of lactones and cyclic esters. In self condensation of w-hydroxy acids, cyclization might compete seriously with linear polymerization, especially when the hydroxyl group is in a position to give five or six membered lactones. 

With the co side chain at C-12 in place, we are now in a position to address the elaboration of the side chain appended to C-8 and the completion of the syntheses. Treatment of lactone 19 with di-isobutylaluminum hydride (Dibal-H) accomplishes partial reduction of the C-6 lactone carbonyl and provides lactol 4. Wittig condensation8 of 4 with nonstabilized phosphorous ylide 5 proceeds smoothly and stereoselectively to give intermediate 20, the bistetra-hydropyranyl ether of ( )-1, in a yield of -80% from 18. The convergent coupling of compounds 4 and 5 is attended by the completely selective formation of the desired cis C5-C6 olefin. 

Ketone 13 possesses the requisite structural features for an a-chelation-controlled carbonyl addition reaction.9-11 Treatment of 13 with 3-methyl-3-butenylmagnesium bromide leads, through the intermediacy of a five-membered chelate, to the formation of intermediate 12 together with a small amount of the C-12 epimer. The degree of stereoselectivity (ca. 50 1 in favor of the desired compound 12) exhibited in this substrate-stereocontrolled addition reaction is exceptional. It is instructive to note that sequential treatment of lactone 14 with 3-methyl-3-butenylmagnesium bromide and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, followed by exposure of the resultant ketone to methylmagnesium bromide, produces the C-12 epimer of intermediate 12 with the same 50 1 stereoselectivity. 

Unsaturated -lactone 34 adopts a well-defined conformation and provides a suitable platform for the introduction of the stereogenic center at C-24 (monensin numbering). Catalytic hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bond in 34 takes place preferentially from the less hindered side of the molecule and provides an 8 1 mixture of stereoisomers in favor of 35 (100% yield). Cleavage of -lactone 35 with concentrated hydriodic acid at 130°C, followed by treatment of the resultant iodide 36 with triphenylphosphine, completes the synthesis of intermediate 19. 

Scheme 25. Construction of the ABCDEFG ring system (87) synthesis of lactone 100.

In an effort to make productive use of the undesired C-13 epimer, 100-/ , a process was developed to convert it into the desired isomer 100. To this end, reaction of the lactone enolate derived from 100-) with phenylselenenyl bromide produces an a-selenated lactone which can subsequently be converted to a,) -unsaturated lactone 148 through oxidative syn elimination (91 % overall yield). Interestingly, when 148 is treated sequentially with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and methanol, the double bond of the unsaturated lactone is shifted, the lactone ring is cleaved, and ) ,y-unsaturated methyl ester alcohol 149 is formed in 94% yield. In light of the constitution of compound 149, we were hopeful that a hydroxyl-directed hydrogenation52 of the trisubstituted double bond might proceed diastereoselectively in the desired direction In the event, however, hydrogenation of 149 in the presence of [Ir(COD)(py)P(Cy)3](PF6)53 produces an equimolar mixture of C-13 epimers in 80 % yield. Sequential methyl ester saponification and lactonization reactions then furnish a separable 1 1 mixture of lactones 100 and 100-) (72% overall yield from 149). 

A proline derived chiral nickel complex 1 may be used instead of oe,/J-unsaturated esters of lactones modified with a chiral alcohol as the Michael acceptor. The a,(9-unsaturated acid moiety in 1 reacts with various enolates to afford complexes 2 with diastereomcric ratios of 85 15 to 95 5. Hydrolysis of the imine moiety yields the optically active /(-substituted r-alanines. A typical example is shown296. 

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