Journal of Organic Chemistry 2001-08-10

Synthesis of beta-lactones by the regioselective, cobalt and Lewis acid catalyzed carbonylation of simple and functionalized epoxides.

J T Lee, P J Thomas, H Alper

Index: J. Org. Chem. 66(16) , 5424-6, (2001)

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Abstract

The PPNCo(CO)(4) and BF(3) x Et(2)O catalyzed carbonylation of simple and functionalized epoxides in DME gives the corresponding beta-lactones regioselectively in good to high yields. The carbonylation occurred selectively at the unsubstituted C-O bond of the epoxide ring, and this reaction tolerates various functional groups such as alkenyl, halide, hydroxy, and alkyl ether.