Highly Stereoselective Aldol Reaction for the Synthesis of γ-Lactones Starting from Tartaric Acid

A simple stereoselective process for the synthesis of highly substituted γ-lactones was developed
based on aldol reactions between the enolate of dioxanes derived from tartaric acid and aldehydes.
A range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were reacted, in most cases achieving good yields and
stereoselectivity. The limitations of this reaction were identified and a transition state is proposed.