β-(Methoxy-(substitutedphenyl)-methyl)-γ-butyrolactones: A short synthesis from cinnamyl acetate

A simple and short synthesis has been revealed for the preparation of (±) β-(Methoxy-(substitutedphenyl)-methyl)-γ-butyrolactones. The reaction of cinnamyl acetate with Mn(OAc)₃ · 2H₂O in boiling acetic acid containing acetic anhydride gave the products 2 and 3, which further cyclized in 3% H₂SO₄/CH₃OH to afford the butyrolactones (8a–e), which are intermediates of lignin, in good to moderate yields.