Synthesis and reactivity of 1,2-dioxolanes from β,γ-epoxy ketones.

Five-membered ring peroxides were prepared in one step in 31-86% yield from readily accessible β,γ-epoxy ketones and H2O2. The reaction proceeded via a tetrahydrofuran, which was converted to the thermodynamically favored 1,2-dioxolane. The product contains a leaving group, which can be displaced to synthesize analogues of the plakinic acid natural products.