Amberlyst-15 mediated decomposition of α-diazo carbonyl compounds

An efficient heterogeneous catalytic method for the synthesis of α-hydroxy ketones from α-diazo carbonyl compounds 1, 3 and 6 in the presence of Amberlyst-15, a macro reticular ion exchange resin, is reported. The desired products were obtained at room temperature or by ultrasonication in good yield. Interestingly, novel fused 3-furanones and bicycloalkane-1,3-diones were obtained as unusual products in the case of alicyclic α-diazo carbonyl compounds.