Bronsted acid-catalyzed benzylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives

The direct alkylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with benzylic alcohols is shown to be efficiently catalyzed by simple Bronsted acids such as triflic acid (TfOH) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTS) to give rise to monoalkylated dicarbonyl derivatives in high yields. In the absence of the nucleophile, substituted alkenes, generated through a formal dimerization reaction, are obtained. The reactions are carried out in air using undried solvents, with water being the only side product of the process.