α-Xanthylmethyl Ketones from α-Diazo ketones

Abstract

A simple and efficient method to obtain α-xanthyl ketones from α-diazoketones is described. The reaction proceed through a protonation/nucleophilic substitution sequence with p-toluenesulfonic acid and potassium ethyl xanthogenate as nucleophile. As α-diazoketones can be readily synthesized from ubiquitous carboxylic acids, a broad variety of xanthates can be obtained, including those from natural occurring substrates