α-Xanthylmethyl Ketones from α-Diazo ketones

Abstract

AbstractA simple and efficient method to obtain α-xanthylmethyl ketones from α-diazo ketones is described. The reaction proceeds through a protonation/nucleophilic substitution sequence in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid and potassium ethyl xanthogenate as the nucleophile. As α-diazo ketones can be readily synthesized from ubiquitous carboxylic acids, a broad variety of xanthates can be obtained, including examples from naturally occurring substrates.