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Usp. Khim., 2026 Volume 95, Issue 1, Pages 1–21 (Mi rcr4533)

Base-mediated C-vinylation of ketones with alkynes: synthesis of β,γ-ethylenic ketones and their synthetic applications

E. Yu. Schmidt, N. V. Semenova, B. A. Trofimov

A.E.Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia

Abstract: This review summarizes the latest advances in the chemistry of β,γ-ethylenic ketones, which have emerged over the last decade as valuable synthetic building blocks to create molecules of high complexity and diversity. This family of multifunctional γ-aryl-β,γ-ethylenic ketones has now become accessible owing to the discovery and systematic development of a new general C(sp3) – C(sp2) bond-forming reaction, namely superbase-mediated C-vinylation of ketones with alkynes. In the context of the Favorsky reaction (the addition of acetylenic carbanions to the carbonyl group of ketones), this discovery represents a chemical paradox in the form of temperaturecontrolled inversion of electrophilicity and nucleophilicity of acetylenes and ketones. Various transformations of β,γ-ethylenic ketones: nucleophilic addition reactions, inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reactions, reactions involving a carbonyl group followed by transformations of functionalized adducts, etc. are discussed. The review also highlights the cascade reactions, in which the in situ formed β,γ-ethylenic ketones, are key intermediates in the synthesis of various highly functionalized carbo- and heterocyclic systems.
The bibliography includes 102 references.

Keywords: alkynes, ketones, ethylenic ketones, carbocycles, heterocycles, superbases, vinylation.

Received: 27.10.2025

DOI: 10.59761/RCR5206


 English version:
Russian Chemical Reviews, 2026, 95:1, 1–20


© Steklov Math. Inst. of RAS, 2026