Ag-Catalyzed Insertion of Alkynyl Carbenes into C-C Bonds of β-Ketocarbonyls: A Formal C(sp2) Insertion

Org Lett. 2022 Jan 21;24(2):631-636. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c04081. Epub 2022 Jan 5.

Abstract

Here we report a silver-catalyzed alkynyl carbene insertion into β-ketocarbonyls using alkynyl N-nosylhydrazones as alkynyl carbene precursors, which provides access to trisubstituted allenyl ketones. This reaction represents the first example of an alkynyl carbene insertion into a C-C σ bond, affording products homologated with an sp2 carbon center. The products are useful substrates for further transformations. Experimental investigations and theoretical calculations suggest the reaction proceeds through a stepwise enol cyclopropanation/retro-aldol pathway.