Electrochemical Synthesis of α-Bromomethyl and α-Iodomethylketones from Cyclopropanols

A simple, electrochemical protocol for the preparation of α-bromomethyl- and α-iodomethylketones from cyclopropanols and magnesium halides has been developed. The reaction proceeded with exclusive regioselectivity and without epimerization of the α-stereocenter in the products. We also showed that the synthesized diastereomerically pure α-bromomethyketone undergoes smooth copper and nickel-catalyzed alkylation, alkenylation and arylation reactions.