A new entry to 1,5-keto esters and their 4,4-dideuterio derivatives via methylene chloride as 'methylene dianion' equivalents

An extremely simple and practical Ti[Cl.sub.4]-Mg promoted synthesis of 1,5-keto esters via multicomponent coupling of various amides with C[H.sub.2][Cl.sub.2] and methyl acrylate is described. The efficiency of the reaction chemistry is demonstrated by the very simple preparation of unusual 4,4-dideuterio-1,5-keto esters.