Peculiar Features of the Willgerodt–Kindler Reaction of 1-Adamantylpropan-2-one and Its Derivatives

Resumo

The Willgerodt–Kindler reaction of 1-(1-adamantyl)propan-2-one and its derivatives was studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The reaction time was found to be 3–4 times longer than in the case of alkyl aryl ketones due to considerable steric hindrances in the molecules of adamantyl ketones. The use of diglyme as solvent and sodium butyl xanthate as catalyst significantly shortened the reaction time and improved the yield to 92%.