Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate-catalyzed Synthesis of β-Keto Enol Ethers from Cyclic β-Diketones and Their Deprotection.

A mild and efficient method for etherification of cyclic β-diketones with alcohols has been developed using a catalytic amount of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate at room temperature to afford the corresponding β-keto enol ethers in good to excellent yields. The deprotections of enol ethers in water-acetonitrile (1:1) using a catalytic amount (10 mol %) of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate have also been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]