Stereochemistry of the Acetoxymercuration of Alkynes. A Synthesis of Vinyl Acetates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00140a024

The stereochemistry of acetoxymercuration of 3-hexyne has been established as antarafacial on the basis of an X-ray crystallographic study.Acetoxymercuration of diphenylacetylene afforded (Z)-α-acetoxy-β-(acetoxymercuri)stilbene by a suprafacial addition of Hg(OAc)2.A simple method for the in situ acetoxymercuration-demercuration of dialkyl-substituted alkynes to afford vinyl acetates is described.The sodium borohydride reduction of vinyl mercurials was shown to produce divinyl mercurials while demercuration with zinc dust in acetic acid provided a useful method for the preparation of vinyl acetates.