Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted acetic acids using low-valent titanium

Abstract

Dihalogenocarbenes generated using low-valent titanium (LVT) undergo a one-pot cycloaddition to diaryl, aryl alkyl or dialkyl ketones to give α,α-disubstituted acetic acids such as (R,S)-2-arylpropanoic acids. TiI₄ proved most effective in this reaction for which the product yield was optimized by use of an excess of reducing agent.