Silicon-Catalyzed Conversion of Nitro Compounds into Ketones and Poly(1,3-diketones)

Abstract The reaction of various secondary nitro compounds with 1.1 equivalents of potassium hydride in 1,4-dioxane and then with 0.10 equivalent of chlorotrimethylsilane gave the corresponding ketones in 62-90% yields. By a similar strategy, poly(1,3-diketones) were synthesized directly from nitroalkenes with sodium ethoxide, potassium hydride, and chlorotrimethylsilane in 1,4-dioxane. The use of chlorotrimethylsilane in a catalytic amount was the key to the success of this transformation; the use of an excess of chlorotri­methylsilane led to poor yields for the same reactions.