Carbonyl Methylenation Using a Titanium- Aluminum (Tebbe) Complex

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00208a013

The titanium-aluminum (Tebbe) complex is shown to be an effective methylenating agent for a variety of carbonyl groups.The reaction is unique in that the carbonyl groups of carboxylic acid derivatives are readily methylenated.Thus vinyl enol ethers are prepared from esters and enamines are formed from amides.The complex provides a method for methylenating hindered or base sensitive ketones that is advantageous to the Wittig reagent.Selective methylenation of dicarbonyl compounds is also accomplished.