Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Enantioselective ketone hydroacylation using Noyori's transfer hydrogenation catalyst
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2025, USA.
This study presents a new method for synthesizing lactones directly from keto alcohols using enantioselective ketone hydroacylation. This approach simplifies substrate preparation by performing in situ oxidation, enhancing efficiency and selectivity.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Asymmetric Catalysis
Background:
- Lactone synthesis is crucial in organic chemistry.
- Direct preparation from keto alcohols is challenging due to substrate sensitivity.
- Existing methods often require multi-step syntheses or sensitive intermediates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a direct, enantioselective method for lactone synthesis from keto alcohols.
- To overcome challenges in reactivity, chemoselectivity, and enantioselectivity in ketone hydroacylation.
- To avoid the preparation of sensitive keto aldehyde intermediates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized enantioselective ketone hydroacylation.
- Employed Noyori's asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalyst.
- Performed in situ oxidation of the alcohol moiety to an aldehyde.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized lactones directly from keto alcohols.
- Achieved high levels of enantioselectivity in the hydroacylation reaction.
- Demonstrated efficient in situ oxidation, simplifying the reaction process.
Conclusions:
- Enantioselective ketone hydroacylation is a viable strategy for direct lactone synthesis.
- The developed method offers an efficient and selective alternative to traditional routes.
- In situ oxidation simplifies substrate handling and improves overall synthetic utility.
Related Concept Videos
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.
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions
α-Hydroxy Ketones via Reductive Coupling of Esters: Acyloin Condensation Overview
Ketones with Nonenolizable Aromatic Aldehydes: Claisen–Schmidt Condensation
As the self-condensation of ketones is generally not favored in basic conditions, the self-condensed products do not form in the reaction between ketones and benzaldehyde. The general reaction of Claisen–Schmidt condensation is...
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...

