Indium-mediated highly regioselective reaction of prop-2-ynyl bromides with acyl cyanides in aqueous media: a convenient synthesis of allenic and propargylic ketones

Indium-mediated reaction of acyl cyanides 1 with prop-2-ynyl bromides 2 in aqueous media occurs regioselectively to afford either allenic 3 or propargylic ketones 4 depending on the gamma -substituent of the prop-2-ynyl bromide under the mild conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.