Studies in dibenzoylethylenes

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.