SYNTHESIS OF KETONES BY RETRO-BENZOIN CONDENSATION CATALYZED BY POTASSIUM CYANIDE

Abstract

The treatment of 2-benzyl-1, 2-diphenyl-2-hydroxyethanone (3a, benzylbenzoin) with potassium cyanide in DMF gave deoxybenzoin (4a). The formation of deoxybenzoin (4a) proceeds through retro-benzoin condensation by catalytic action of cyanide ion. Similarly, retro-benzoin condensation applied to several substituted benzoins 3 resulted in the formation of the corresponding ketones 4 in excellent yields.