Synthesis of α,β-epoxy ketones from alkyl- and arylsubstituted cyclopropanols

A number of aliphatic and arylaliphatic alpha,beta -epoxy ketones were prepared in good yields in a one-pot procedure by a manganese-catalyzed ring cleavage of I-substituted and 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols with oxygen followed by dehydration of the resulting cyclic peroxides with alkali.