Chemistry of alkali metal tetracarbonylferrates. A simple method for alkylating and arylating carbonyl compounds and active methylene compounds

Abstract

Alkylation and arylation of carbonyl compounds and active methylene compounds by means of aldehydes in the presence of potassium tetracarbonylhydridoferrate is described. This reagent reduces benzylideneacetone to benzylacetone under the same conditions. A reaction scheme is suggested. An alternative approach utilizes disodium pentacarbonylchromate to prepare 1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one.