Zn-promoted regioselective and sequence-selective one-pot joining reaction of three components: alkyl iodides, alpha,beta-unsaturated esters (or nitriles), and acylating agents

One-pot treatment of alkyl iodides, alpha,beta-unsaturated esters (or nitriles), and acylating agents such as nitriles or acid anhydrides in the presence of Zn metal at room temperature in the same reaction system brought about a regioselective and sequence-selective three-component joining reaction involving first C-alkylation at the beta-position and second C-acylation at the alpha-position of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters (or nitriles) to afford the corresponding alpha,alpha-dialkylketoesters (or alpha,alpha-dialkylketonitriles) in moderate to good yields. reaction: see text]