An easy synthesis of α-chloro-α′-bromo or α,α′-dichloro ketones

Abstract

The reaction of α-chloro or α-bromo carboxylic acid esters (1) with in situ-generated chloromethyllithium (1 : 1.5 molar ratio) at –78 °C in the presence of lithium bromide leads, after hydrolysis, to the corresponding α,α′-dichloro or α-chloro-α′-bromo ketones (2), respectively.