A facile and general entry to optically active pheromones and aromas with γ‐alkyl‐γ‐lactone structures. A study of some lactone derivatives of pentoses

A new and easy general methodology has been developed to prepare γ‐alkyl‐α,β‐butenolides or γ‐alkylbutyrolactones in four and five steps, respectively, from D‐ribonolactone as a common chiral starting material. Some of these products have pheromonal activity in insects and are also used as fruit fragrances. A study on several derivatives of D‐ribonolactone and 2‐deoxy‐D‐ribonolactone has been carried out in order to explore alternative routes for these syntheses.