Strongly Preferential Alkylation and Carbonyl Olefination of α‐ and β‐Hydroxycarbonyl Compounds by Organo‐Transition Metal Reagents in Competition Experiments with the Corresponding Deoxy Compounds

Abstract

The reagents Cl2CrCH3, (iPrO)3TiCH3, and ClMo(O)CH2 can distinguish between α- and β-hydroxyketones and “normal” ketones. As shown by competition experiments, the hydroxyketones are methylated or olefinated appreciably faster than the ketones without a hydroxy group.