Improved Synthesis of 1-Bromo-3-buten-2-one

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of 1-bromo-3-buten-2-one, 4, from commercially available 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, 1, is described. The procedure involves three reaction steps: (1) The acetal 1 is converted to 2-(1-bromoethyl)-2-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane, 2, by reacting 1 with elemental bromine in dichloromethane to yield 98% of 2. (2) Dehydrobromination of 2 with potassium tert-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran gives 2-bromomethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, 3, in 84–93% yield. (3) Removal of the acetal protection from 3 by formolysis for 6–10 h afforded 1-bromo-3-buten-2-one, 4, in 85–94% yield. A more rapid method is acid hydrolysis of 3 under microwave activation (100 °C, 8–10 min), by which 4 was obtained in 75% yield. Full experimental details are given.

Synthesis of 1-Bromo-3-butyn-2-one and 1,3-Dibromo-3-buten-2-one

Synthetic procedures for the preparation of 1-bromo-3-butyn-2-one and 1,3-dibromo-3-buten-2-one are given. These compounds are prepared from 2-bromomethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, which can readily be prepared from 2-ethyl- 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane. The synthetic routes are as follows: 2-bromomethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane is converted to 2-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-2-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane. Double dehydrobromination with ^tBuOK affords 2-ethynyl-2-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane. Formolysis with formic acid gives 1-bromo-3-butyn-2-one. Deacetalized 2-bromoethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane was treated with Br₂ and Li₂CO₃/12-crown-4 in tetrahydrofuran to give 1,3-dibrom-3-buten-2-one in moderate yield.     

Deprotection of Acetals from Unsaturated,Unstable Bromoketones

The unstable ketones 1-bromo-3-buten-2-one, 1-bromo-3-butyn-2-one, and 1,3-dibromo-3-buten-2-one can be obtained from the corresponding acetals in high yields by treating the acetals with anhydrous iron (III) chloride suspended on dry silica. A simplified procedure for preparing the reagent is also given.