We examined a method for the preparation of 4-hydroxypyran-2-ones in t
wo steps from aryl ketones and ethyl malonyl chloride (or ethyl 2-meth
ylmalonyl chloride). These 4-hydroxypylan-2-ones are useful precursors
as they may be transformed in two steps to the 2-methoxypyran-4-ones,
which is found in phenoxan - a naturally occurring compound discovere
d to have anti-HIV activity.