One-pot synthesis of 1,5-diketones catalyzed by barium isopropoxide

A tandem cross-coupling reaction of aryl methyl ketones with aromatic aldehydes has been accomplished employing barium isopropoxide as a catalyst, in which barium enolates are generated and then three consecutive reactions (aldol reaction/β-elimination/conjugate addition) occur; this one-pot procedure is a convenient method to obtain symmetrical 1,5-diketones in good yields. In some cases, addition of iso-propanol is effective in improving the chemical yield.