Amberlyst-15®-promoted efficient 2-halogenation of 1,3-keto-esters and cyclic ketones using N-halosuccinimides

A simple and rapid process has been developed for the α-monohalogenation of 1,3-keto-esters with N-halosuccinimides catalyzed by Amberlyst-15® at room temperature to produce the corresponding 2-halo 1,3-keto-esters in high yields. This protocol also extended to α-halogenation of cyclic ketones.