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.
nitro - ketone - poly(1,3-diketone) - Nef reaction - silicon
