Tellurium/lithium exchange reactions in the synthesis of spiroketals and 1,6-dioxygenated systems

1,4-C,O-dianions have been generated through concomitant acid/base and tellurium/lithium exchange reactions. The di-lithium salts were transmetallated with cerium chloride to the corresponding di-cerium salts and subsequently reacted with lactones and carboxylic acid anhydrides to yield the respective spiroketals. The di-lithium entities were also converted into the corresponding cyanocuprates that add in a 1,4-manner to 2-cyclohexen-1-one to form 1,6-dioxygenated compounds.