The oxidation of tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran or n-butyl ether with N, N-dibromobenzenesulfonamide (DBBS) in the presence of water gave γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone or n-butylbutyrate, respectively (Table I). The mechanism of reaction was discussed in connection with the reaction of tetrahydrofuran with DBBS in nonaqueous solvent.
