One-pot gram-scale synthesis of γ-hydroxybutenolides through catalyst-free annulation of α-amino acids with α-keto acids in water

Abstract A one-pot gram-scale synthetic route for the preparation of γ-hydroxybutenolides via catalyst-free annulation of α-amino acids with α-keto acids in water is reported. The method shows many advantages such as readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, acceptable yields, and requiring no extra catalysts or additions. Furthermore, the method is innocuous to the environment, also is valuable to industry.