DIANIONS OF N-MONOSUBSTITUTED-3-(PHENYLSULFONYL)PROPANAMIDES. CONVENIENT REAGENTS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF 5-ALKYL-2(5H)-FURANONES

Abstract
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-monosubstituted-3-(phenylsulfonyl)propanamides.