Inventors:
John C. Saddler - Portage MI
John H. Symonds - Vicksburg MI
Assignee:
Upjohn Company - Kalamazoo MI
International Classification:
C07D307935
Abstract:
The present invention is a process for the production of a ketolactone of formula III ##STR1## which comprises contacting an aldehyde lactone of formula I ##STR2## with a. beta. -ketophosphonate (X. sub. 1 --O--). sub. 2 --PO--CH. sub. 2 --CO--X. sub. 15 (II). The ketolactone (III) is a useful intermediate in the synthesis of prostaglandins.