Bénary Reaction

Abstract

The reaction between a Grignard reagent (or an organolithium reagent) and an enamino ketone or aldehyde to yield an αβ‐unsaturated ketone or aldehyde and αβ‐unsaturated esters with stereoselectivity, is generally known as the Bénary reaction. This reaction has been reported to follow the different mechanisms—for example, in the case of β‐amino vinyl ketones, the reaction seems to proceed through a 1,4‐addition‐elimination, whereas β‐aminopropenals seems to react with organomagnesium and organolithium reagents mainly via a 1,2‐addition at the carbonyl group. High yields in the reaction have been observed when the reactions are carried out in toluene with Grignard reagents.