Treatment of N-phenyl-3-(phenylsulfonyl) propanamide with 2 equiv. of butyllithium at− 78° C afforded the dianion. Aldehydes and ketones upon treatment with the dianion provided stable γ-hydroxy amides, which were converted in good yields to 5-alkyl-2 (5H)-furanones. Optically active (R)-and (S)-5-octyl-2 (5H)-furanones, and (R)-and (S)-5-tridecyl-2 (5H)- furanones were prepared from aldehydes and the dianions, derived from chiral N- ...