Acetylation of 2-C-Benzyl-L-lyxo-3-hexulosono-1,4-lactone.

Acetylation of 2-C-benzyl-L-ascorbic acid afforded an unexpected enone, 2,6-di-O-acetyl-2-C-benzyl-5-deoxy-D-glycero-hex-4-en-3-ulosono-1,4-lactone (3) of the open form, along with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-benzyl-L-lyxo-3-hexulosono-1,4-lactone (4) of the closed form.