title: Synthesis of α-diketones from alkylaryl- and diarylalkynes using mercuric salts.
abstract: Both alkylarylalkynes and diarylalkynes 1 are converted into the α-diketones 2 in good yield by the use of mercuric salts, e.g., mercuric nitrate hydrate or mercuric triflate, in the presence of water. Other mercuric salts, e.g., sulfate, chloride, acetate, or trifluoroacetate, do not provide the diketone product. A possible mechanism is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles , 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D007659:Ketones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D008698:Mesylates / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012492:Salts; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D007659:Ketones; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D008698:Mesylates; D009566:Nitrates; D012492:Salts; C510262:mercuric triflate; D014867:Water; C029948:mercury nitrate; D008628:Mercury