Soto, Karenia

Paraconic acids are naturally occurring compounds synthesized by bacteria and fungi. They are known for having antitumor and antibiotic properties. By use of a phasevanishing (PV) halolactonization with PTFE (Teflon) as a phase screen, we were able to synthesize precursors to these compounds. The PV-PTFE halolactonization of alkenoic acids with iodine monochloride gave the corresponding iodolactones, while
halolactonization with bromine gave the corresponding bromolactone. Halolactonization
of 4-pentenoic acid with water as a solvent also gave good results. Future experiments
will explore the synthesis of further precursors by means of a photolytic carbonylation of
iodolactone and a phenylation-ruthenium tetroxide oxidation sequence.

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