A new route to β,γ-unsaturated ketones is disclosed. Aryl pentamethylcyclopentadienyl
ketones underwent allylation with allyldimethylaluminum to yield the corresponding
alcohols. Heating the alcohols in boiling toluene resulted in removal of pentamethylcyclopentadiene
to provide β,γ-unsaturated ketones. The removal would proceed via a retro-carbonyl-ene
process. Synthesis of an alkyl allyl ketone is also described.
allylation - cleavage - pentamethylcyclopentadiene - ketones