(ALPHA)-OXOKETENES - PREPARATION AND CHEMISTRY (DEC, PG 1219, 1994)

This review describes the methods of generation of alpha-oxoketenes and their use in synthesis. While the ketenes are often generated in situ without direct proof for their existence, methods used for their direct observation are also emphasized. The most important classes of precursor molecules are 2-diazo-1,3-diketones, 1,3-dioxin-4-ones, 2,3-dihydrofuran-2,3-diones, and beta-ketoacid derivatives. Synthetically useful reactions are nucleophilic additions to give carboxylic acid derivatives which can be subjected to further functional group manipulation, [2 + 2] cycloadditions to give four-membered rings, and [2 + 4] cycloaddition chemistry with a wide variety of double-and triple-bonded dienophiles, resulting in numerous six-membered heterocyclic ring systems.