Reaction of substituted alkynols with alkoxycarbene complexes of chromium: a facile synthesis of substituted α,β-unsaturated-γ-butyrolactones

Substituted α,β-unsaturated-γ-butyrolactones, were synthesized from Fischer chromium carbenes and substituted alkynols in a two-step sequence. This method demonstrates a novel and mild route for the synthesis of this class of molecules.