Manganese(III) acetate promoted acetoxylation of various α,β-unsaturated cyclopentanones

We describe the results of manganese(III) acetate based regioselective oxidation of various α,β-unsaturated cyclopentanones leading to α′-acetoxy α,β-unsaturated cyclopentanones in good yields. Products due to monophenyl and diphenyl substituted dimerization have been identified as byproducts of the reaction.