REACTIONS OF PHENYLYTTERBIUM σ COMPLEX WITH BENZOYL CHLORIDE AND METHYL BENZOATE: A SELECTIVE KETONE SYNTHESIS

Abstract

Abstract Phenylytterbium iodide (Ph–Yb–I) has been found to react with benzoyl chloride to give both triphenylcarbinol and benzophenone. When Ph–Yb–I is added inversely to benzoyl chloride, especially in the presence of FeCl3, the ketone is obtained selectively in modest yields in contrast to the Grignard reaction.