To obtain the subject compound useful as an intermediate ester for a hydroxy fatty acid, which is an important intermediate for large cyclolactone- based perfumes.
This compound is shown by formula I [(n) is 10 or 11; and R is a 1-6C alkyl]. The compound shown by formula I is obtained by heating the γ-butylolactone section of an alkali metal salt of 2-(ω-alkoxycarbonyl alkanoyl)-4-butanolide shown by formula II [(n) is 10 or 11; R is an alkyl; and M is an alkali metal] [e.g. 2-(11-methoxycarbonyl undecanoyl)-γ-butylolactone, and 2-(12-methoxycarbonyl dodecanoyl)-γ-butylolactone] at 80 to 1-10°C for 1 to 20 h, preferably in the presence of 0.5 to 1 equivalent of a weak acid (e.g. phosphoric, pyrophosphoric or carbonic acid), for selective hydrolysis and decarboxylation.
Ito, Nobuhiko
Hasebe, Akio
Imamura, Shinzo
TORAY IND INC