Abstract A simple new method for the synthesis of phthalides and their 3-alkyland 3, 3′- spiroalkyl derivatives including (±)-3-butylphthalide, a racemic form of a constituent of celery oil, through the β-scission of alkoxyl radicals generated from hypoiodites of benzocyclobutenols by the photolysis, is described.
![5,6,7,8,9,10-hexahydro-5,10-epoxybenzo[8]annulen-5-yl hypoiodite Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/165/111973-81-0.png)
