C−C Bond Formation of Benzyl Alcohols and Alkynes Using a Catalytic Amount of KO^tBu: Unusual Regioselectivity through a Radical Mechanism

Abstract

We report aC À Cb ond-forming reaction between benzyl alcohols and alkynes in the presence of ac atalytic amount of KO t Bu to form a-alkylated ketones in which the C = Og roup is located on the side derived from the alcohol. The reaction proceeds under thermal conditions (125 8 8C) and produces no waste,m aking the reaction highly atom efficient, environmentally benign, and sustainable.B ased on our mechanistic investigations,w ep ropose that the reaction proceeds through radical pathways.