Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

A Two-Step Protocol for Umpolung Functionalization of Ketones Via Enolonium Species
Published on: August 16, 2018
Deacylative oxidation strategy for the preparation of alpha-functionalized carbonyls
Benjamin H Brodsky1, J Du Bois
1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5080, USA.
Abstract:
[reaction: see text] alpha-Alkoxylation and amination of carbonyl derivatives is made possible through a unique deacylative coupling reaction that proceeds via in situ Rh-carbene formation and subsequent heteroatom-H (X-H) insertion. Reactions perform optimally with five- and six-membered ring lactone and lactam derivatives using both alcohol and carbamate substrates as coupling partners. Substituted ethylbenzoyl acetate starting materials have also proven to be effective for this oxidative process, affording alpha-functionalized esters under particularly mild and operationally facile conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Alcohols, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives like acid chlorides and esters are more easily reducible than the corresponding acids. The derivatives reduce in the presence of mild reducing agents to give aldehydes. Aldehydes can also be prepared by Rosenmund reduction, that is, the reduction of acid...
Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones: Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation
The carbonyl center is activated by...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.

