Modified Preparation of (2R)-2-tert-Butyl-6-methyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-one; a Chiral Acetylacetic Acid Derivative for the Synthesis of Enantiopure Compounds

An improved synthesis of the title compound in ca. 45% yield on up to a 174 mmol scale is reported. Bromination of (2R,6R)-2-tert-butyl-6-methyl-1,3-dioxan-4-one gives a mixture of mono- and dibromides which must be purified by chromatography to remove impurities which may poision the palladium catalyst in the following dehalogenation step