title: Synthesis of beta-lactones by the regioselective, cobalt and Lewis acid catalyzed carbonylation of simple and functionalized epoxides.
abstract: The PPNCo(CO)(4) and BF(3) x Et(2)O catalyzed carbonylation of simple and functionalized epoxides in DME gives the corresponding beta-lactones regioselectively in good to high yields. The carbonylation occurred selectively at the unsubstituted C-O bond of the epoxide ring, and this reaction tolerates various functional groups such as alkenyl, halide, hydroxy, and alkyl ether.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alper
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004852:Epoxy Compounds; C013426:beta-butyrolactone; D003035:Cobalt; D015107:4-Butyrolactone