ketones [ArC(OMe)2CH(OH)Me](Ar = Ph, 4-PhC6H4, 4-BuiC6H4, 4-MeOC6H4, 4-BrC6H4, 6-MeOnaphthalen-2-yl) with diethylaminosulphurtrifluoride (DAST) affords smoothly the methyl 2-arylpropanoates in good yield via aryl-group migration. On the other hand, treatment of aryl 1-hydroxyethyl ketones with DAST gives the corresponding aryl 1-fluoroethyl ketones [ArCOCHFMe](Ar = Ph, 4-PhC6H4, 4-BuiC6H4) in high yield
Preparation of Methyl 2-Arylpropanoates by the Reaction of 2-Hydroxypropiophenone Dimethyl Acetals with Sulfuryl Chloride in the Presence of an Amide or a Weak Base
Treatment of 2-hydroxypropiophenone dimethyl acetals [p-RC6H4C(OMe)2CH(OH)Me] (1; R=H, i-Bu, OMe, Ph, Br) with sulfuryl chloride in the presence of an amide or a weak base affords methyl 2-arylpropanoates (2) in good to excellent yields via 1,2-aryl migration of 1. The hydrolysis of 2 leads to the corresponding acids, some of which are pharmaceutically important compounds having nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory