A General Method for the Formation of Zinc Enolate Equivalents from Iodoacetates by Diisopropylzinc-Iodine Exchange Reaction: Preparation of β-Hydroxy Esters

Diisopropylzinc is found to be a highly efficient reagent for the formation of zinc enolate equivalents from various iodoacetates via iodine-zinc exchange reaction at room temperature, affording β-hydroxy esters in high yields by the reaction with aldehydes and ketones.