Lewis acid-catalyzed one-pot sequential reaction for the synthesis of α-halogenated β-keto esters

A Lewis acid-catalyzed one-pot sequential transformation of β-keto esters, aromatic aldehydes, and NCS/NBS was reported. The reaction proceeds by way of Knoevenagel condensation/Nazarov cyclization/halogenation to give α-chloro- and α-bromo-β-keto esters in moderate yields with high diastereoselectivities. However, several aromatic aldehydes with electron-withdrawing substituents afforded unexpected α,β′-dichloro-β-keto esters in good to high yields.