Metal-mediated Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketone and aldehyde using water as solvent

•Efficient metal-mediated Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketones and aldehydes was investigated.•Water is suitable solvent for this transformation.•The reactions of ketones and aldehydes could tolerate a broad range of functional groups.

Water is demonstrated as a suitable solvent for an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of α,α-difluorinated β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds through the Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketones with aldehydes in the presence of Zn/CuCl at room temperature.

Graphical abstractIn the Reformatsky reaction, both of ketones and aldehydes could tolerate a broad range of functional groups in water, which is an environment friendly solvent.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide