Polarity Inversion of Ketones: Umpolung Reaction at the α-Position

Significance

This work discloses a protocol for the α-alkylation and α-arylation of ketones via an umpolung reaction under mild reaction conditions. The intermediate N-alkoxyenamine reacts directly with a wide range of organoaluminum reagents. This avoids the use of expensive transition-metal catalysis and high reaction temperatures often required for such reactions.