Synthesis of α‐Hydroxyl Ketones by Metal‐Free C=C Double Bond Cleavage of Enaminones in Aqueous Medium

Abstract

The C=C double bond cleavage of enaminones has been accomplished in the presence of methyl sulfonyl azide (MSA) to provide α‐hydroxyl ketones via the reaction with water. The major process of the reactions consists of the formation of a key α‐diazoketone intermediate resulting from the enaminone‐azide annulation, and a successive decomposition. Totally 22 α‐hydroxyl ketones have been synthesized with the yield range from 43 %–83 %.