Synthesis of 1,4-diketones: reaction of α-bromo ketones with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE)

1,4-Diketones were prepared by the reaction of α-bromo ketones with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) in moderate to good yields. Similarly, α-bromo esters were reductively coupled using TDAE to give the 1,4-diesters in moderate yields.