Previous research has revealed that some butenolides show activity against the yeast Candida albicans. In efforts to further these investigations, the synthesis of butenolide analogs was undertaken. The starting materials, 2-methylacrylic acid and 1-penten-3-ol, were esterified in the presence of triethyl amine to form 1-ethylallyl-2-methylprop-2-enoate. The formation of the ester was confirmed using 13C- NMR spectroscopy. The ester was then subjected to ring-closing metathesis in the presence of Grubb's catalyst. The formation of the butenolide was also confirmed using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The product obtained from this step has been purified using column chromatography. Attempts to derive the synthesized butenolide and subsequent bioassay results will be presented.

Investigation into the synthesis of bioactive butenolides

245th National Meeting (2013)

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