What is the most common and efficient synthetic route for preparing 2-Acetylbutyrolactone?

The most common and industrially feasible method for synthesizing 2-acetylbutyrolactone is the Claisen condensation reaction between γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and an acetate (e.g., methyl acetate or ethyl acetate), typically catalyzed by a strong base (e.g., sodium methoxide or sodium ethoxide). This process utilizes the acidic α-proton of GBL, which is deprotonated by the strong base to form an active enol anion intermediate. This enol anion then attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acetate, generating the characteristic β-keto ester structure of 2-acetylbutyrolactone. Modern improved synthetic routes typically employ continuous flow reactors and tightly controlled reaction conditions to maximize yield and purity, making them the standard method for the large-scale production of this versatile organic synthetic precursor.

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