Abstract: | Except for substituted acetophenones (p-Y-C6H4COCH3, Y=H, Br, CH3O), simple ketones, β-ketoesters and 1,3-diketones reacted smoothly with a preformed homogeneous mixture of hydrochloric acid and potassium permanganate in acetonitrile to give moderate to good yields of the corresponding α-chlorocarbonyl compounds. Mixtures of α-chloro- and α,α-dichlorocarbonyl compounds were obtained for substituted acetophenones. Brominations proceeded similarly with higher yields when the hydrochloric acid was replaced with hydrobromic acid. |