Synthesis of tertiary 1,3-butadien-2-ylcarbinols from chromium-catalyzed addition of (4-bromobut-2-ynyl)trimethylsilane to ketones

The synthesis of 1,3-butadien-2-ylcarbinols containing a tertiary alcohol is achieved by desilylation of (trimethylsilyl)methylallenic alcohols. The latter are obtained via a chromium-catalyzed addition of (4-bromobut-2-ynyl)trimethylsilane to aliphatic or aromatic ketones. The desired adducts are obtained in yields ranging from 21% to 67% for this two-step, one-pot process.