Mild α-Halogenation Reactions of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Lewis Acids

Abstract
Lewis acid Mg(ClO4)2, combined with NBS, in CH3CN or EtOAc provided mild and fast bromination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. In particular, this protocol could be applied to the α-monobromination of α-unsubstituted β-keto esters. Similar Lewis acid catalysis was also extended to the α-chlorination and iodination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with NCS and NIS, respectively.