Dihalocarbene insertions into carbon-hydrogen bonds of hydrocarbons and ethers

Abstract

Fair to moderate yields of insertion products of dichloro- and dibromo- carbenes can be achieved from aqueous reaction mixtures using the phase transfer method. Insertions are very selective; benzylic, tertiary C-H bonds of hydrocarbons and α-C-H bonds of ethers are particularly reactive. The convenience of this method makes it potentially attractive for certain synthetic applications.