Access to β-Hydroxyl Esters via Copper-Catalyzed Reformatsky Reaction of Ketones and Aldehydes

An efficient and simple Cu-catalyzed Reformatsky reaction of ketones and aldehydes has been accomplished with ethyl iodoacetate. Excellent yields of β-hydroxyl esters were achieved with a range of ketones and aldehydes, which varied from aromatic to aliphatic, unsaturated to saturated ketones and aldehydes. This practical and convenient transformation was conducted with inexpensive, readily available, and commercial starting materials under mild reaction conditions.