Iodine-catalyzed α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes generating conjugated enones and enals

Abstract

A transition metal-free α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes was developed. This reaction was conducted in a facile I₂/KI/DMSO system to produce the corresponding unsaturated compounds in good to high yields. The gram-scale experiment also indicated the potential synthetic value of this new reaction in organic synthesis. In the reaction, DMSO acted as both solvent and mild oxidant.