Synthesis of β-ketonitriles, α,β-alkynones and biscabinols from esters using tert-butoxide-assisted C(=O)-C (i.e., acyl-C) coupling under ambient conditions

We demonstrated the synthesis of beta-ketonitriles, alpha,beta-alkynones, and biscarbinols using tert-butoxideassisted C(C=O)-C (i.e., acyl-C) coupling of esters under ambient conditions. tert-Butoxide-assisted C(C=O)-C (i.e., acyl-C) coupling of esters with cyanomethylenes and acetylenes under transition metalfree ambient conditions gives beta-ketonitriles, alpha,beta-alkynones and/or aryl bis(phenylethynyl)carbinols in moderate-to-good yields. It is noteworthy that this is a rapid, facile, and efficient process under ambient conditions, and use of cheap and stable starting materials. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.