THE FACILE SYNTHESIS OF LACTONES

Abstract
Direct lactonization of ω-hydroxy acids, HO(CH22)nCOOH with n=5, 7, 10, 11, 14, has been successfully carried out under mild conditions in good yields by the treatment with 1-methyl-2-chloropyridinium iodide in the presence of triethylamine. In the case of the acid with n=6, only lactide has been produced.