Lactones are important frameworks found in a variety of biologically active compounds including antibiotics, antifungal compounds, pheromones, lignans, and flavor components. 1 Typically, lactones are prepared by the dehydration reaction of ω-hydroxy carboxylic acids with acid catalyst or stoichiometric coupling reagents such as DCC/DMAP, Mukaiyama–Corey's reagent and Yamaguchi's reagent. 2 On the other hand, the direct conversion of dialdehydes to lactones represents ...