One-pot catalytic C-C double bond cleavage of α,β-enones aided by alkyl group-immobilized silica spheres

Catalytic C-C double bond cleavage of α,β-enones with a 1-alkene and H₂O was carried out in the presence of a (Ph₃P)₃RhCl catalyst, 2-amino-3-picoline, cyclohexylamine, benzoic acid, and alkyl group-immobilized silica spheres. Upon completion of the reaction, the corresponding ketones were obtained without needing a further hydrolysis step. In this reaction, alkyl group-immobilized silica spheres act as a water reservoir for hydrolysis of an intermediate ketimine and as a phase divider between the organic solution and H₂O.