Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-tricarbonyls from 1,3-dicarbonyls mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate

A mild and efficient protocol for the synthesis of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds from beta-dicarbonyls in a single step using cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate as a catalytic oxidant is described. Ease of execution, wide substrate scope and the suitability for the synthesis of commercially important compounds like ninhydrin, alloxan and oxoline make this reaction particularly noteworthy. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.