REACTIONS INVOLVING SELENIUM METAL AS AN ELECTROPHILE. 2. A GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF UNSATURATED β-DICARBONYL COMPOUNDS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(01)81822-0

A variety of β-dicarbonyl compounds can be converted to the corresponding unsaturated derivatives in high yields.The process involves reaction of the β-dicarbonyl carbanion with Se metal, followed by alkylation with methyl iodide to form the methylseleno derivative and subsequent oxidative elimination.