A convenient preparation of cyclobutyl ketones: Naphthalene-catalyzed reductive cyclization of substituted 1,4-dihalobutanes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)02194-9

Acyl-substituted succinates are useful starting materials for the synthesis of cyclobutyl ketones. The key step, reductive cyclization of the intermediate dihalide, afforded yields of 32-60% of cyclobutyl-containing products.