γ-Lactone

A commercially important set of γ-lactones are derived from the free radical addition of fatty alcohols and acrylic acid.

They are all weakly volatile liquids, which are colorless when pure, but typical samples are not.

[1] Chemical, biological, and hybrid routes have been developed for these fragrances.

Some fungal enzymes hydroxylate fatty acids, leading to the corresponding lactones.

[2] In terms of chemical routes, fatty alcohols undergo free radical addition to acrylic acid, giving hydroxy carboxylic acids, which spontaneously lactonize.