Chemoselective homologative preparation of trisubstituted alkenyl halides from carbonyls and carbenoids

The chemoselective synthesis of trisubstituted alkenyl halides (Cl, Br, F, I) starting from ketones and aldehydes and lithium halocarbenoids is reported. Upon forming the corresponding tetrahedral intermediate adduct, followed by the addition of thionyl chloride, a selective E2-type elimination is triggered, furnishing the targeted motifs. The transformation takes place under full chemocontrol: various sensitive functionalities (e.g. ester, nitrile, nitro, or halogen groups) can be placed on the starting materials, thus documenting a wide reaction scope, as well as the application of the technique to biologically active substances.