Anions of itaconic acid derivatives [R02CFHC (= CH2) C02] are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of u-methylene lactones. The addition of these anionic species to aldehydes or ketones and subsequent lactonization and hydrolysis have been utilized for the synthesis of a variety of compounds including protolichesterinic acid, nephrosterinic acid, and canadensolide. a-Methylene lactones have recently attracted much synthetic effort] owing ...
