β-Ketovinylation

The review deals with the methods of introduction into the molecule of the group RCOCR'=CR'', which has come to be called the β-ketovinylation reaction. It has been shown that the principal starting materials for these reactions are certain β-substituted vinyl ketones, which have surpassed all other activated ethylene compounds in their importance for synthetic organic chemistry. A systematic description of literature data has been given in accordance with methods for C-, N-, O-, S-, P-, Hal-, Fe-, and Co-ketovinylation. This made it possible to make generalisations and recommendations concerning the choice of the ketovinylating agent in particular cases. The possible mechanism of β-ketovinylation is discussed, particular attention being devoted to kinetic and stereochemical data. The bibliography comprises 300 references.