Palladium(II)-catalyzed sequential c-cl bond formation: A novel and efficient method for direct α,α-dichlorination of β-dicarbonyl compounds
A simple and concise procedure for the synthesis of 2,2-dichloro-3-oxo-N- phenylbutanamides, via palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)-H dichlorination of 3-oxo-N-phenylbutanamides, is described. The protocol provides a direct route to α,α-dichlorinated products starting from β-dicarbonyl compounds. A plausible mechanism for this transformation involving two consecutive chlorination steps is described.