Chemoselective Claisen–Schmidt bis-substitutional condensation catalyzed by an alkoxy-bridged dinuclear Ti(IV) cluster

The highly efficient and chemoselective α,α′-bis-substitution of alkanones is important in organic synthesis. Herein, a dimeric titanium cluster, Ti 2 Cl 2 (OPr i ) 6 ·2HOPr i ( Ti 2 ), is used in the Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction, for the selectively activation of symmetrical ketones containing α,α′-methylene groups and production of α,α′-bis-substituted alkanones in high efficiency and chemoselectivity. The high efficiency and chemoselectivity can be extended to a variety of typical alkanones and aromatic aldehydes . Both of the oxo-bridged dimeric motif of Ti 2 and the ionic Ti–Cl bond are responsible for the high efficiency and chemoselectivity.