“…β-Hydroxy ketones are widely found in natural products and bioactive molecules, 8 and serve as versatile synthetic intermediates and building blocks in organic synthesis. 9 Several methods for the synthesis of β-hydroxy ketones have been developed, such as aldol reaction, 10 a reduction of α,β-epoxy ketones, 10 b,c oxy-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated ketones, 10 d,e photocatalytic oxygenation of cyclopropane derivatives, 10 f,g hydration of propargyl alcohol derivates, 10 h and coupling reaction of vinylarenes and alcohols. 10 i Traditionally, formaldehyde has been utilized as a one carbon linkage to construct β-hydroxy ketones with methyl ketones in an aldol reaction.…”