An Approach to Preparation of α-Hydroxyl Cyclobutanones from 1, 2-Bis(trimethylsiloxy)cyclobutene Catalyzed by MgI2 Etherate

We describe an efficient and practical preparation of α-hydroxyl cyclobutanones from 1,2- Bis(trimethylsiloxy)cyclobutene (BTCB) with aromatic aldehydes, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and their parent acetals catalyzed by 1-5 mol% of MgI2 etherate (MgI2•(OEt2)n) in dichloromethane under mild reaction conditions in good yields.