Metal-mediated Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketone and aldehyde using water as solvent

Water is demonstrated as a suitable solvent for an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of α,α-difluorinated β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds through the Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketones with aldehydes in the presence of Zn/CuCl at room temperature.