Synthesis Of γ- And δ-lactone

γ -Nonalactone and δ -decalactone, which is an important intermediate compound for perfumes and pharmaceuticals, were synthesized in this paper. γ -Nonalactone could be synthesized using n-hexanol and methyl acrylate as raw materials in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide catalyst. The reaction parameters were optimized and the yield of y -nonalactone was 46.4% in a purity of 97.8% by chromatographic analysis. A synthesis of 2-pentylidene cyclopentanone starting from cyclopentanone and n-valeraldehyde through aldol condensation, followed by dehydration, was studied, and the yield reached 85.6%. 2-Pentenyl cyclopentanone was prepared in a yield of 95.0% from 2-pentylidene cyclopentanone with a hydrogenation methodology. Through Baeyer-villiger oxidation, δ -decalactone was synthesized in a yield of 63.9% from 2-pentenyl cyclopentanone with hydrogen peroxide. And the total yield for product was improved to 52.0 % with a purity of 98.7% (GC). Some rational technological parameters, related reaction mechanisms and reaction conditions were discussed. The structures and compositions of these compounds were accomplished by IR, 1H-NMR and GS-MS.