[dirtza]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the definition of lactones. I am trying to classify a group of compounds based on their lactones.

In my dataset I have found the following lactones.

- α-methylene-γ-lactone
- α-methyl-γ-lactone (α,β-unsaturated lactone)
- α-methyl-γ-lactone
- and other types I am not sure about.

Going through literature, I also find the term “simple lactone” and I wonder what this is referring to? Everything without a methylene group, so just a methyl group or nothing else? Irrespective if it is unsaturated or not?
And my second question would be: what are natural derivatives of α-methylene-γ-lactones? If additional side chains are present on the lactone ring or the methylene groups is functionalized?
Thank you!

[AWK]

A simple Google search will give you the answer.
Pay attention to plant terpenes.

[dirtza]

If Google would have given me a straight forward answer, then I would certainly not have asked here.
If the answer to this problem can be find that easily, you surly can provide me with the according link.

[AWK]

First google answer: α-methylene-γ-lactone

...The first α-methylene-γ-lactones were isolated over 100 years ago and were often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases... - with skeletal formula
α-methyl-γ-lactone (α,β-unsaturated lactone) - Pandamarilactonine
α-methyl-γ-lactone - see eg Digitoxigenin, Parthenolide
and so on

Where there is a will, there is a way.

[dirtza]

Thank you for pointing out the article. This article is about the synthesis of α-methylene-γ-lactones. But it does not answer my questions. My question were: What is a simple lactone? And what is a natural derivative of an α-methylene-γ-lactone? But I can see that there is no will to help me... I am sorry, I am just a student, maybe I lack some fundamental knowledge and I am not familiar with the term natural derivative.

[AWK]

Chemical names are unambiguous. The chemist must be able to translate them into structural formulas. The examples given are intended to help.