# Oxidative hydrolysis of aliphatic bromoalkenes: scope study and reactivity insights

## TL;DR

A new simple method was developed to convert bromoalkenes into dialkyl α-bromoketones using a hypervalent iodine-catalyzed reaction.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a catalytic oxidative hydrolysis method for synthesizing dialkyl α-bromoketones from bromoalkenes.

## Key findings

- The method works for both symmetrical and unsymmetrical dialkyl bromoketones with moderate yields.
- Ritter-type side products form via an alternative reaction pathway.

## Abstract

We have developed an operationally simple method for the synthesis of dialkyl α-bromoketones from bromoalkenes by utilizing a hypervalent iodine-catalyzed oxidative hydrolysis reaction. This catalytic process provides both symmetrical and unsymmetrical dialkyl bromoketones with moderate yields across a broad range of bromoalkene substrates. Our studies also reveal the formation of Ritter-type side products by an alternative reaction pathway.