2-Methylenebutyrolactones. II. Fluorene and diaryl derivatives

Abstract

Ethyl sodiomalonate with fluorene-9-spiro-2'-oxiran gave two carboxybutyro-lactones, (2a) and (3a). Fluorene-9-spiro-4'-(2'-methylenebutyrolactone) (3c) and 2-methylene-4,4-diphenylbutyrolactone (6c) have been prepared by the action of diethylamine and formaldehyde on their respective 2-oarboxybutyrolaotones. The reaction of trimethylsulphonium iodide with 4,4'-diethoxybenzophenone gave 2,2-bis(4'-ethoxypheny1)vinyl alcohol (6a) and not the oxiran.