The Johnson−Corey−Chaykovsky epoxidation is one of the oldest methods for the synthesis of terminal epoxides from carbonyl compounds. Herein we present a simplified extension of the Johnson−Corey−Chaykovsky epoxidation, where ketoacids are employed as the substrates and commercially available trimethylsulfoxonium iodide is employed as the carbon-atom homologating reagent. A variety of lactones are produced in a single step in synthetically useful yields.

Along the lines of modern sustainable oxidation, a green and mild organocatalytic synthetic procedure for the synthesis of hydroxylactones from alkenoic acids is described. The reaction includes the activation of H2O2 by an organocatalyst (2,2,2‐trifluoromethylacetophenone), the oxidation of an olefinic group to the corresponding epoxide, and intramolecular lactonization to afford a variety of substituted γ‐ or δ‐lactones with multiple substitution patterns in good to high yields. The product can be obtained with high purity after simple extraction if the conversion is quantitative. Attempts to render the process asymmetric met with limited success.

Benzofurans and indoles are key moieties in many natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we describe a cheap and easy‐to‐execute strategy for the synthesis of benzofurans and indoles, employing Pd/C as the promoter. A variety of substituted allyl‐anilines and allyl‐phenols were converted into the desired products in good to excellent yields. Recycling of Pd/C was possible up to five cycles, keeping similar levels of reactivity.