Catalyst- and Additive-Free Baeyer−Villiger-type Oxidation of α-Iodocyclopentenones to α-Pyrones: Using Air as the Oxidant

An efficient synthetic approach for the synthesis of α-pyrones via Baeyer−Villiger-type oxidation of α-iodocyclopentenones through a catalyst- and additive-free system using air as an environmentally benign oxidant is described. The reaction exhibits excellent functional group compatibility and provides a simple and efficient protocol for the construction of highly functionalized α-pyrones under mild reaction conditions.