REACTION OF MIXED CARBOXYLIC ANHYDRIDES WITH GRIGNARD REAGENTS. A USEFUL METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF KETONES

Abstract
It was found that common ketones were prepared in good yields by the reaction of grignard reagents with mixed carboxylic anhydrides composed of o-substituted benzoic acids or pivalic acid and common carboxylic acids at −20 or −78°C. Further, it was established that a 1,4-diketone such as 2,5-dioxoundecane, a precursor of dihydrojasmone was synthesized in 71∼82% yields from levulinic acid by one step procedure without protecting its carbonyl group.