A Convenient Method for the Preparation of Acetal Carboxylic Acids by Nickel(II) Complex Catalyzed Oxygenation of α-Alkoxy Cyclic Ketones with Molecular Oxygen

Abstract
In the presence of a catalytic amount of nickel(II) complex, various α-alkoxy cyclic ketones are smoothly oxygenated into acetal lactones by combined use of molecular oxygen and aldehydes at room temperature under an atmospheric pressure. Successive treatment of formed acetal lactones with hydrogen chloride in alcohols affords the corresponding acetal carboxylic acids in good to quantitative yields.
Keywords