Synthesis of 1,3-diketones from esters via liberation of hydrogen

Catalytic reactions that convert green or sustainable starting materials into important classes of chemical compounds, generate hydrogen, and are mediated by Earth-abundant element catalysts are highly desirable. Here, we report on a catalytic dehydrogenative rearrangement of esters into 1,3-diketones. Esters are green or sustainable and inexpensive starting materials that are available in great diversity, and 1,3-diketones are highly attractive building blocks for organic synthesis. The concerted interaction of a baseacid catalyst and a dehydrogenation catalyst mediates our reaction. The dehydrogenation catalyst is based on manganese, and the hydrogen formed can be liberated and is the only by-product formed.

Automated summary

The study presents a method for catalytic dehydrogenative rearrangement of esters into 1,3-diketones, mediated by both a base-acid catalyst and a dehydrogenation catalyst based on manganese. This approach allows for the conversion of green or sustainable and inexpensive ester starting materials into highly attractive 1,3-diketones for organic synthesis, with hydrogen as the only by-product.