Ketone synthesis by hydroacylation

摘要

The invention is a generalized hydroacylation reaction. The reaction involves the activation of a selected aldehyde by converting by iminization to an aldimine or an aminal. The imine group replaces the carbonyl group. The imine C-H bond is then susceptible to attack by a chosen olefin, and hydrolysis to yield the ketone. One moiety of the ketone derives from the aldehyde and the other from the olefin added later. Therefore, the ketone may be symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes may be activated according to this process.