Synthesis of multifunctionalized building blocks via vinylogous addition of Chan’s diene to carbonyl and carbonyl-related electrophiles, mediated by molecular iodine

The synthesis of multifunctionalized β-ketoesters has been achieved by using molecular iodine as a catalyst under very mild conditions. The vinylogous addition of Chan’s diene 1 to carbonyl and carbonyl-related compounds (aldehydes, ketones, imines and acetals) occurred with high efficiencies and with complete γ-selectivity, giving a useful method for the synthesis of interesting libraries of different δ-functionalized β-ketoesters.