Mn(III)-based C-C bond formation: regioselective α′-allylation of various α,β-unsaturated, α and β-alkoxy α,β-unsaturated ketones

The Manganese(III)-based regioselective α′-keto radical generation of unsaturated ketones is a versatile synthetic procedure with broad applicability. The generated α′-keto radical slowly creates a metal enolate in a solvent at reflux. The resultant metal enolate affords the corresponding α′-allylated α,β-unsaturated ketones in good yields. This method is the first example of the metal mediated regioselective α′-allylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones. The ketones that have α or β-alkoxy groups also work efficiently.