@article{KruegerBramborgKellingetal.2021,
  author    = {Kr{\"u}ger, Tobias and Bramborg, Andrea and Kelling, Alexandra and Sperlich, Eric and Linker, Torsten},
  title     = {Birch Reduction of Arenes as an Easy Entry to γ-Spirolactones},
  series = {European journal of organic chemistry},
  volume    = {2021},
  journal   = {European journal of organic chemistry},
  number    = {46},
  publisher = {Wiley-VCH},
  address   = {Weinheim},
  issn      = {1434-193X},
  doi       = {10.1002/ejoc.202101018},
  pages     = {6383 -- 6391},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {A convenient method for the synthesis of γ-spirolactones in only 2-3 steps is described. Birch reduction of inexpensive and commercially available aromatic carboxylic acids in the presence of ethylene oxide affords hydroxy acids, which undergo direct lactonization during work-up. Suitable precursors are methyl-substituted benzoic acids, naphthoic, and dicarboxylic acids. Subsequent hydrogenation proceeds smoothly with Pd/C as catalyst and saturated γ-spirolactones are isolated in excellent yields and stereoselectivities. Thus, up to 3 new stereogenic centers can be constructed as sole diastereomers from achiral benzoic acids. Furthermore, it is possible to control the degree of saturation with Raney nickel or Wilkinson's catalyst to obtain products with 1 double bond. Overall, more than 30 new γ-spirolactones have been synthesized in analytically pure form.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{YinLinker2011,
  author    = {Yin, Jian and Linker, Torsten},
  title     = {Stereoselective diversity-oriented syntheses of functionalized saccharides from bicyclic carbohydrate 1,2-lactones},
  series = {Tetrahedron},
  volume    = {67},
  journal   = {Tetrahedron},
  number    = {13},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0040-4020},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.tet.2011.01.069},
  pages     = {2447 -- 2461},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Bicyclic carbohydrate 1,2-lactones have been synthesized in only two steps and high yields by saponification and subsequent cyclization from known malonate addition products to glycals. The gluco-configured lactone serves as an important precursor for diversity-oriented syntheses. Thus, stereoselective opening of the lactone ring was realized with various nucleophiles in the presence of Sc(OTf)(3). This enabled the introduction of different substituents at the anomeric position, to afford a broad variety of 1-functionalized carbohydrates. On the other hand, stereoselective alpha-substitution of the gluco-configured lactone with different electrophiles and subsequent ring opening gives a collection of 2-functionalized saccharides. More than 30 products have been isolated in analytically pure form, and their configurations were unequivocally established by various NMR methods. Thus, carbohydrate 1,2-lactones are attractive precursors for the stereoselective synthesis of diverse saccharides.},
  language  = {en}
}