A Novel and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of (alpha)-Azidoketones and (alpha)-Ketothiocyanates

(alpha)-Diazoketones underwent insertion smoothly with sodium azide and potassium thiocyanate in the presence of CeCl3·7H2O under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding (alpha)-azidoketones and (alpha)-ketothiocyanates in excellent yields.