An improved method for the use of acetal-substituted Grignard reagents in organic synthesis

Abstract

Grignard reagents derived from 2-(3-chloropropyl)-1,3-dioxolan (1) and 2-(3-chloropropyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan (2) can be prepared in high yield without decomposition. They undergo 1,2-addition to acrylaldehyde to give allylic alcohols (4a and b), which can be oxidized to give monoprotected dicarbonyl compounds.