Platinum(II)/europium(III)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkylation of 4-pentenyl β-dicarbonyl compounds

Reaction of 5,5-dimethyl-8-nonene-2,4-dione with a catalytic mixture of (PtCL2(CH2=CH2)](2) (2) (1 mol%). and EuCl3, (2 mol%) in dioxane that contained HC1 (l.0equiv) at 90degreesC for 18h led to the isolation of 2-acetyl-3.6.6-trimethyl-2 -cyclohexanone in 85% yield. A number of 4-pentenyl beta-dicarbonyl compounds underwent intramolecular hydroalkylation to form Cyclohexanones in moderate to excellent yield. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.