Synthesis and Structure of Novel 1-Aryl-4,4,4-trichloro-1,3-butanediones

Novel 1-aryl-4,4,4-trichloro-1,3-butanediones in good yields (80–97%) were synthesized in one pot through acetal acylation with trichloroacetyl chloride followed by acid hydrolysis. Structures of all compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and ¹H/¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The ¹H/¹³C NMR data showed that trichloromethyl-β-diketones 2a–k in solution are predominantly ketoenol. However, the spectroscopic data from 4,4,4-trichloro-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butabedione (2l) with methyl substituent between carbonyls showed a bias toward the diketo form in solution. X-ray diffraction of monocrystals from 2g and 2i showed that these compounds are cis-ketoenol tautomers.

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