Patent ID: 6531616
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for preparing &agr;-metlhylenelactoncs of Formula III comprising the steps:(a) contacting lactones of Formula I with an oxalate in the presence of a base and a solvent to form an intermediate mixture comprising the compound of Formula II and isolating the compound of Formula II from the intermediate mixture; (b) treating the isolated compound of Formula II with formaldehyde to form a product mixture; and (c) optionally isolating the &agr;-methylenelactones of Formula III from the product mixture, â€ƒwherein, n=1-11; X is a cation; R is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently are hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl.