Synthesis of α-Ketobutyrolactones and γ-Hydroxy-α-Keto Acids

In connection with the studies for developing new enzymes that could be useful in organic synthesis, practical preparation of racemic and enantiopure forms of ${\gamma}$-hydroxy-${\alpha}$-keto acids has been successfully achieved. For racemic form of ${\gamma}$-hydroxy-${\alpha}$-keto acids, indium-mediated allylation of aldehydes with 2-(bromomethyl)acrylic acid has been employed as a key step. Oxidative cleavage of the thus formed 2-methylenebutyrolactones provided the desired ${\alpha}$-ketobutyrolactones. Enzymatic resolution of the ${\gamma}$-hydroxy-${\alpha}$-methylene esters provided the desired${\gamma}$-hydroxy-${\alpha}$-methylene acids which were successfully converted to ${\gamma}$-hydroxy-${\alpha}$-ketobutyrolactones in optically pure forms.