A convenient preparative method for 2–alkyl–γ–butyrolactones

Various 2–alkyl–γ–butyrolactones (IV) were prepared from 2–acetyl–γ–butyrolactone (I) via two steps: alkylation of 2–acetyl–γ–butyrolactone (I) followed by deacetylation. For example, 2–hexyl–γ–butyrolactone (IV; R = n–C6H13) was prepared as follows: reaction of 2–acetyl–γ–butyrolactone (I) with n–hexyl bromide using sodium hydride as a base in dirnethylformamide gave 2 acetyl–2–hexyl–γ–butyrolactone (II; R = n–C6H13) with 83% yield. Deacetylation of (II; R =# n–C6H13) with sodium methoxide gave 2–hexyl–γ–butyrolactone (IV; R = n–C6H13) with 85% yield.