[alpha],[alpha]-Alkylation-Halogenation and Dihalogenation of Sulfoxonium Ylides. A Direct Preparation of Geminal Difunctionalized Ketones

A one-pot alkylation-halogenation of ketosulfoxonium ylides in the presence of alkyl halides is described. The method furnishes several gem-difunctionalized haloketones (an alkyl and F, Cl, Br, or I) in good yields. Replacing alkyl halides with a mixture of electrophilic halogen species and various halide anions led to gem-dihalogenated ketones containing a combination of the same or two different halogens. Kinetic isotopic effects as well as reaction kinetic experiments give insight to the mechanism of these reactions.