CO2-assisted synthesis of non-symmetric α-diketones directly from aldehydes via C–C bond formation

Abstract

CO₂-assisted various symmetric and non-symmetric α-diketones have been synthesized directly from the corresponding aldehydes using transition metal-free catalysts. This method can even be applied to synthesize pharmaceuticals directly from aldehydes. The crucial role of CO₂ has been investigated in detail and the mechanism is proposed on the basis of experiments and DFT calculations.