Organocatalytic Redox Isomerization of Electron-Deficient Allylic Alcohols: Synthesis of 1,4-Ketoaldehydes

An organocatalytic redox isomerization strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 1,4-ketoaldehydes. DABCO was found to be the best catalyst for the isomerization of gamma-hydroxy enones. With 20 mol % of DABCO as catalyst and DMSO as the solvent high yields have been achieved for different 1,4-ketoaldehydes.