Manganese (II1) acetate oxidation of several HOOCCH2X, X= electron withdrawing group, in the presence of alkenes led to the formation of a-substituted y-lactones. Chloroacetic acid gave a-chloro y-lactones, which were converted in two steps to the corresponding a,@- unsaturated y-lactones. 3-Chloropropanoic acid led to the a-methylene y-lactone after base induced elimination of HC1. Cyanoacetic acid produced a-cyano y-lactones which could ...