Abstract
The unsaturated 1,4-dlketones of the general
type ArCOCH=CHCOAr are well known and research
In this field of Organic Chemistry has attracted
the attention of numerous workers. Still amid the
complexities of Organic Chemistry it is but natural
that certain aspects of the subject should attract
widespread notice while other equally important
problems should be left unnoticed.
The unsaturated α-diketones are no exception to
this. A glance at the literature reveals a good
deal of information about the methods of preparation
of diteenzoyl ethylenes and their alkyl alkoxy and
halogen substituted derivatives and through these
the preparation of diaryl ethanes which readily
pass into furanes and pyrroles, yet there is little
reference about the preparation of those compounds
in which auxochromic groups such as hydroxyl or
amino are present. Likewise one comes across a
m8ss of literature concerning the mechanism of
their reduction by various means, yet one finds
that nothing has so far been published about the
reduction of unsaturated 1,4-diketones by such
specific reagents as aluminlum-isopropoxide.
Several other instances can be quoted where some
important problems still await solution.
