One-carbon chain extension of esters to α-chloroketones:: A safer route without diazomethane

The reaction of a variety of methyl esters with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide at 0-25 degreesC affords the chain-extended beta-keto dimethylsulfoxonium ylides. Subsequent treatment with hydrogen chloride in THF proceeds with loss of DMSO to afford the corresponding alpha-chloroketones. This sequence has been utilized to convert the methyl esters of CBZ-protected alanine and valine to the anti N-protected alpha-amino epoxides, which are important pharmaceutical intermediates. When the same protocol is applied to BOC-protected phenylalanine methyl ester, epimerization occurs so that the use of a more reactive aryl ester is required. This chemistry provides a practical route to a-chloroketones that avoids the use of toxic and explosive diazomethane.