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Synlett 2009(16): 2711-2712  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1218016
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

The MgCl2-Et3N Base System: A Useful Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Hany Fakhry Anwar
School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 1068, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
e-Mail: hany.anwar@farmasi.uio.no;
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 September 2009 (online)

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Introduction

The combination of MgCl2 and Et3N is a considerably stronger base than Et3N alone. This base system has been used for a variety of base-induced reactions such as: α-carboxylation of ketones, [¹] condensation, [²] acylation of malonate derivatives, [³] [4] phosphonoacetes, [5] [6] anti-aldol [7] and imine aldol [8] reactions, ortho-formylation of phenols, [9] and Mannich reactions. [¹0] Moreover, this base system was used in Dieckman-type cyclizations [¹¹] and also for the preparation of β-ketoamides by the condensation of ketenes and isocyanates. [¹²]