1,2-Dioxines as Masked Cis γ-Hydroxy Enones and Their Versatility in the Synthesis of Highly Substituted γ-Lactones

Addition of highly stabilized ester nucleophiles to 1,2-dioxines affords good to high yields of gamma-lactones with high diastereoselectivity. Heterolytic or homolytic cleavage of the 1,2-dioxines under appropriate conditions generates the key reactive cis gamma-hydroxy enones, which ultimately afford the observed gamma-lactones. Diastereoselectivity is installed as a result of anti 1,4-addition by the ester enolate to the cis enones followed by intramolecular cyclization. The reaction is tolerant of a range of substitution patterns on the 1,2-dioxine while a broad range of esters are also accommodated. In addition to the synthesis of racemic gamma-lactones, highly enantioenriched gamma-lactones can also be synthesized when chiral cobalt(II) catalysts are employed for the initial homolytic ring-opening of the 1,2-dioxine.