Synthesis of 1-Bromo-3-butyn-2-one and 1,3-Dibromo-3-buten-2-one.

Abstract Synthetic procedures for the preparation of 1-bromo-3-butyn-2-one and 1,3-dibromo-3-buten-2-one are given. These compounds are prepared from 2-bromomethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, which can readily be prepared from 2-ethyl- 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane. The synthetic routes are as follows: 2-bromomethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane is converted to 2-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-2-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane. Double dehydrobromination with tBuOK affords 2-ethynyl-2-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane. Formolysis with formic acid gives 1-bromo-3-butyn-2-one. Deacetalized 2-bromoethyl-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane was treated with Br2 and Li2CO3/12-crown-4 in tetrahydrofuran to give 1,3-dibrom-3-buten-2-one in moderate yield.