Expedient Synthesis of 1,5-Diketones by Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydroacylation Enabled by C-C Bond Cleavage

A rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular hydroacylation reaction of vinyl cyclobutanols with non-chelating aldehydes has been developed. This reaction offers a new and atom-economical approach for the selective preparation of 1,5-diketones in high yields. Experimental data suggest a sequential ring-opening, transfer hydrogenation, and hydroacylation mechanism. We propose that aldehyde decarbonylation is avoided by the formation of a novel rhodium enolate species that also accounts for the compatibility of a broad range of aldehydes and its anti-Markovnikov selectivity.