The use of organocadmium reagents for the preparation of ketones.

The cadmium reagent may be prepared from a lithium derivative instead of a Grignard reagent, if desired (19). This sequence may be carried through in a few hours without isolation of intermediates; however, the general utility of the method mas not recognized for several years, possibly on account of experimental difficulties encountered in carrying out these reactions (cf. Section IV). At least one report (38) of a low yield in such a preparation has appeared. Since 1941, however, considerable information concerning this reaction has been gained, and the method may nom be regarded as one of the best and most widely applicable procedures for laboratory-scale preparation of either simple ketones or various polyfunctional compounds containing a keto group. The required