Biomimetic Synthesis of Twenty-four Long-chained Diketones as Precursors for Muscone and Further Macrocyclic Ketones

The one-carbon unit transfer reaction of tetrahydrofolate coenzyme was initiated. Bisbenzimidazolium salts were used as a tetrahydrofolate coenzyme model, and thus the biomimetic synthesis of twenty-four acyclic diketones as precursors for macrocyclic ketones was successfully accomplished by using the addition-hydrolysis reaction of the bisbenzimidazolium salts with alkyl magnesium halide, wherein six diketones have not been reported in literature. Accordingly, a short route to muscone analogues was provided.