Transition-metal-free superbase-promoted stereoselective α-vinylation of ketones with arylacetylenes: a general strategy for synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated ketones.

A wide variety of β,γ-unsaturated ketones of E configuration have been obtained in good to excellent yields via KO(t)Bu/DMSO promoted α-vinylation of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and alkyl aromatic (heteroaromatic) ketones with diverse arylacetylenes.