One-pot β-substitution of enones with alkyl groups to β-alkyl enones

Abstract

Vinylic hydrogens at the β-position of enones were effectively substituted with alkyl groups in a one-pot procedure to afford β-alkyl enones in good to high isolated yields by conjugate addition of higher-order dialkyl cyanocuprates to enones, followed by a reaction with N-tert-butylbenzenesulfinimidoyl chloride at −78 °C.