A useful method for α-methylation of γ-butyrolactones
Abstract
γ-Butyrolactone in tetrahydrofuran at –78° reacts with lithium di-isopropylamide or lithium iso-propylcyclohexylamide and then with an excess of deuterium oxide, methyl iodide, or allyl bromide to form α-deuterio-, α-methyl-, or α-allyl-γ-butyrolactone in good yield.