An efficient Synthesis of Acetylenic γ- and δ-Hydroxy Ketones, γ- and δ-keto acids,and γ- diketones via addition of 1-alkinyllithium compounds to γ- and δ-lactones

2-Hydroxy-6-alkyn-5-ones 3 , 1-hydroxy-5-alkyn-4-ones 4 , and 1-hydroxy-6-alkyn-5-ones 5 are conveniently obtained in excellent yields through a highly selective monoaddition of an 1-alkynyllithium compound 2 to γ-valerolactone (1a) , γ-butyrolactone (1b) or δ-valerolactone (1c) . They are oxidized by pyridinium dichromate or Jones reagent to the corresponding acetylenic 1,4-diketones 6 , 4-oxo carboxylic acids 7 , and 5-oxo carboxylic acids 8 , respectively.