Regioselective β-Arylation of α-Angelica Lactone through Isomerization/Addition under Mild Conditions

The conversion of biomass-based platform molecules into various high-value chemicals greatly promotes the utilization of renewable biomass resources. Herein, an example of Rh-catalyzed beta-arylation of levulinic-acid-derived alpha-angelica lactone was reported, providing the gamma-lactone-structure products with high regioselectivity. Both arylboronic and alkenylboronic acids could be applied in this transformation. This reaction tolerated a variety of synthetically important functional groups. Moreover, the obtained gamma-lactone products could be readily converted to high-value products such as 1,4-diols and gamma-methoxy-carboxylates.