Oxythallation adduct intermediate in hydration of terminal acetylenes by thallium(III) salt catalyst

Abstract

Reaction of several terminal acetylenes with thallium(III) acetate in chloroform or acetic acid gives a white solid in good yield which is believed to be a new type of oxythallation adduct, (AcO)CR[graphic omitted](OAc)]CR(OAc)(2), on the evidence available to date. From the fact that it is converted into the corresponding ketone and inorganic thallium(III) salt by heating in acetic acid or methanol, it is concluded that it is one of the intermediates in the thallium(III) salt-catalysed conversion of terminal acetylenes into ketones.