Formation of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-cyclopentanediones from ketals with 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)cyclobutene

Abstract

The direct formation of 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-cyclopentanedione compounds by a Lewis acid catalysed reaction with 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)cyclobutene proceeds in good to excellent yields with unhindered ketals, but steric hindrance reduces the yields considerably. A carbonyl group α or β to the ketal, or a carbon–carbon double bond α to the ketal, stops the reaction completely. Orthoesters do not give geminally acylated products in synthetically useful yields.