Direct synthesis of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via radical coupling of aldehydes with ketones under metal-free conditions

Abstract

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 1,3-diketones from aldehydes and ketones has been developed using Bu4NI (TBAI) as the catalyst. In the presence of DTBP–TBHP/p-TsOH, aldehydes undergo radical coupling with ketones to provide the desired products in moderate to high yields at 120°C. Although various substituents on the aromatic ring of aldehydes are well tolerable under the standard reaction conditions, the protocol is limited by the scope of ketones. The method exhibits advantages in terms of the easy access of the starting materials, operational simplicity, functional group tolerance, and the absence of metal catalyst.