A facile solid-phase synthesis of substituted 2(5H)-furanones from polymer-supported alpha-selenocarboxylic acids

The synthesis of polystyrene-supported alpha-selenoacetic acid, alpha-selenopropionic acid, and alpha-selenophenylacetic acid is described. The reaction of the dilithio derivatives of polymer-supported alpha-selenocarboxylic acids with racemic epoxides or optically active styrene oxide afforded polystyrene-supported gamma-substituted alpha-selenobutyrolactones. The alpha-alkylation reaction of gamma-substituted polystyrene-supported alpha-selenobutyrolactones provided another route for the synthesis of polystyrene-supported alpha,gamma-disubstituted alpha-selenobutyrolactones. Subsequent oxidation-elimination with an excess of 30% hydrogen peroxide at room temperature afforded substituted (3- and 5-mono-; 3,4- and 3,5-di) 2(5H)-furanones in high yields and good purities.