Clemmensen reduction. Part 8. Fragmentation reactions of 1,4-diketones
Abstract
Certain 1,4-diketones undergo fragmentation reactions on treatment with amalgamated zinc and hydrochloric acid. Where two pathways of scission are possible, the most highly substituted bond is cleaved preferentially. In particular cases other reactions, such as alcohol formation or rearrangement, compete with the fragmentation process. Further experiments to probe the mechanism are described.