Novel conditions for the transformation of gem-dibromomethylenes to ketones are described. gem-Dibromo compounds were treated with acetic anhydride and triethylamine in dichloromethane/water at room temperature under an air atmosphere to give the corresponding ketones in moderate yields. A radical mechanism is proposed based on experimental results.
Keywords: dehalogenation; gem-dibromomethylenes; ketones; radical reactions; synthetic methods.
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