Gold/copper-catalyzed activation of the aci-form of nitromethane in the synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

Abstract

Activation of the aci-form of nitromethane using Lewis acids for the attack of carbon nucleophiles was studied. 1,3-Dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of catalytic amounts of AuCl3 or Cu(OTf)2 in nitromethane solvent could be converted into methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.