An Efficient Oxidative Lactonization of 1,4-Diols Catalyzed by Cp*Ru(PN) Complexes

An efficient oxidative lactonization of 1,4-diols in acetone is accomplished by the well-defined ruthenium catalyst, whose bifunctional nature underlies the high efficiency as well as unique chemo- and regioselectivity of the reaction which provides a rapid access to γ-butyrolactones including flavor lactones hinokinin, and muricatacin.