Facile generation of α,α-dibromodimethyl ketals from alkynes using TsNBr2

TsNBr2 reacts with alkyne in the presence of methanol to form α,α-dibromodimethyl ketals instantaneously. The reaction proceeds smoothly at room temperature without using any other catalyst. The one step reaction can be carried out with both aromatic and aliphatic alkynes in excellent yield.