Darzens‐Nenitzescu Reaction

Abstract

The formation of an α,β‐unsaturated ketone directly by aluminum chloride–promoted acylation of alkenes with acyl halides is known as the Darzens–Nenitzescu reaction (or Nenitzescu reductive acylation), or Nenitzescu acylation. It has been reported that under various reaction conditions, the Darzens–Nenitzescu reaction is often complicated by the formation of β‐halo ketones, β,γ‐enones, or β‐acyloxy ketones. The aluminum chloride–promoted acylation with vinyl mercuric chloride has been found to resolve this complication, resulting in a high purity of stereochemistry. This reaction has an importance in the preparation of α,β‐unsaturated ketones.