Complete control of regioselectivity in the intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of 2-alkenyl-3(2H)-furanones by the length of the side chain
The 2-(ω-alkenyl)-substituted 2-methyl-3(2H)-furanones 2a and 2b were prepared from biacetyl (3) in four reaction steps and in overall yields of 20% and 21%, respectively. They underwent a clean intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition upon irradiation a