Abstract The regioselective ring-opening of lactones (δ-valerolactone and γ-butyrolactone) with aryllithium reagents is reported for the construction of a series of δ-hydroxy aryl ketones and γ-hydroxy aryl ketones. Application of this method for the expeditious syntheses of (±)- anabasamine and its nicotine-related analogue are also described.
