A new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from three components, aldehydes, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and tert-butyl acetate, via magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CH and 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from various aldehydes, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate at −78 °C in THF gave adducts in high yields. Magnesium carbenoids were generated by treatment of these adducts with Grignard reagents via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. When the adducts were derived from alkyl aldehydes or electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CH insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having a substituent at the β-position. On the contrary, when the adducts were derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to give β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having the aromatic group at the γ-position. Highly stereospecific 1,2-CC insertion reactions were observed in the latter reactions. This procedure provides a good way for a synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes with two carbon-carbon bond-formations.