A concise route to branched erythrono-gamma-lactones. Synthesis of the leaf-closing substance potassium (+/-)-(2R,3R)-2,3,4-trihydroxy-2-methylbutanoate

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Daniel Sejer Pedersen
  • Tony V Robinson
  • Dennis K Taylor
  • Edward R T Tiekink
A series of 1,2-dioxanes 3 were ring-opened with Co(SALEN)(2) to furnish lactol regioisomers 4 and 5 (86-99% yield). The lactols were oxidized to gamma-lactones 8 and 9 (72-96% yield) and deprotected to afford the 2-C- and 3-C-alkyl and aryl branched erythrono-gamma-lactones 1, 6, and 7 (65-94% yield), including the natural plant lactone (+/-)-2-C-d-methylerythrono-1,4-lactone 1. The latter compound was treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide to afford potassium (+/-)-(2R,3R)-2,3,4-trihydroxy-2-methylbutanoate 2, which is a leaf-closing substance of Leucaena leucocephalam.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Organic Chemistry
Volume74
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)4400-4403
ISSN0022-3263
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

ID: 13087220