2-(Chlorocarbonyl)-2-mesitylketene, a new building block for the synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-mesityl tetronic acids

Investigation of the reaction of (chlorocarbonyl)mesitylketene with ketones led to the discovery of a new synthetic pathway which yields 4-hydroxy-3-mesityl tetronic acids. Depending on the reaction conditions and the substitution pattern of the starting ketone, the expected products, i.e. 4-hydroxy-3-mesitylpyrones, can nevertheless be obtained.