Abstract

Reductive acetylation of carbonyl compounds to acetates with NaBH4/Cu(dmg)2 system

Author(s): Behzad Zeynizadeh, Saviz Zarrin, Shahriar Ashuri

Acetylation of carbonyl compounds is generally achieved via reduction followed by the acetylation. In addition, the combination systems of borohydrides have been also reported for one-pot reductive acetylation of carbonyl compounds. In this context, reductive acetylation of carbonyl compounds as a key synthetic protocol is a straightforward method for conversion of carbonyl compounds to the coressponding acetates. Reductive acetylation of a variety of carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and á,â-unsaturated enals/enones was carried out efficiently with sodiumborohydride /copper dimethylglyoxime, Cu(dmg)2, in ethyl acetate under reflux condition. The corresponding acetates were obtained in high to excellent yields.