Novel mercuric triflate-catalyzed condensation of ketones and homoallyl alcohols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)02551-9

Novel condensation of ketones with homoallyl alcohols catalyzed by Hg(OTf)₂ has been developed, generating a 6-membered ring ether alcohol, bisether, and olefins. The reaction is initiated by hemiacetal formation, and cyclization of the resulting oxonium action provides the 6-membered ring carbocation as a common intermediate. Thus, it is a catalytic Prins-type condensation of non-activated hormoallyl alcohols and ordinary ketones.