The reaction of alkene oxides with the sodium derivatives of ethyl malonate and ethyl acetoacetate has been used as a method for the preparation of a-carbethoxy and a-acetyl-y- lactones. 1-6 In these condensations, the base (sodium ethoxide) and alkene oxides were used in equivalent amounts. Two instances have been reported in which improved yields were obtained by using two molar equivalents of ethyl mal~ nate.~ J This paper describes ...
