Transformation of Aryl Acyloin O-Alkyl and O-Phenyl Derivatives to Ketones.

The treatment of aryl acyloin (α-hydroxyketone) O-alkyl and O-phenyl derivatives with 2–3 equiv of Zn and 1–2 equiv of NH4Cl in ethanol, refluxing for 20–120 min, gave the corresponding ketones with excellent yields. Further, α,β-epoxy ketones can be efficiently transformed to β-hydroxy ketones, and 2,2-dialkoxy-1-phenyl ketone also can be dealkoxylated to 1-phenyl ketone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]