2-Hydroxy-2-trifluoromethylbutan-4-olides (8-10) were prepared by a four step synthesis starting from a ketone and methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate (1) as a building block. Uncatalyzed chemospecific aldolization of ketones with 1 afforded 2 hydroxy-4-oxoesters 2-4 that were selectively reduced at the oxo group by sodium borohydride to the corresponding 2,4-dihydroxyesters 5-7. Acid-catalyzed cyclization of dihydroxysters 5-7 to lactones 8-10 was strongly dependent on their structure. The lactone-ring closure with the hydroxy group at the hydroxylated cyclopentane ring afforded bicyclic lactone (10) with cyclopentane cis-annulation. 2-Hydroxy-2 trifluoromethylbutanolides appeared to be highly resistent to dehydration or eliminations of the corresponding mesylates or triflates. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
2-Hydroxy-2-trifluoromethylbutan-4-olides (8-10) were prepared by a four step synthesis starting from a ketone and methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate (1) as a building block. Uncatalyzed chemospecific aldolization of ketones with 1 afforded 2 hydroxy-4-oxoesters 2-4 that were selectively reduced at the oxo group by sodium borohydride to the corresponding 2,4-dihydroxyesters 5-7. Acid-catalyzed cyclization of dihydroxysters 5-7 to lactones 8-10 was strongly dependent on their structure. The lactone-ring closure with the hydroxy group at the hydroxylated cyclopentane ring afforded bicyclic lactone (10) with cyclopentane cis-annulation. 2-Hydroxy-2 trifluoromethylbutanolides appeared to be highly resistent to dehydration or eliminations of the corresponding mesylates or triflates. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.