Michael reaction of ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates with 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one gave ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates. Alkaline hydrolysis of the latter, followed by decarboxylation afforded 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-ones. The bromination of ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates provides a convenient method for the preparation of 3-acetyl-8-alkoxymethyl-3-methyl- and 8-alkoxymethyl-3-bromoacetyl-3-methyl-2,7-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diones in high yields.
Michael reaction of ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates with 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one gave ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates. Alkaline hydrolysis of the latter, followed by decarboxylation afforded 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-ones. The bromination of ethyl 5-alkoxymethyl-3-(2-methyl-3-oxobutyl)-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates provides a convenient method for the preparation of 3-acetyl-8-alkoxymethyl-3-methyl- and 8-alkoxymethyl-3-bromoacetyl-3-methyl-2,7-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diones in high yields.