Propargyl Bromide as an Excellent α-Bromoacetone Equivalent:  Convenient and New Route to α-Aroylacetones^†

A variety of α-aroylacetones 4a−g have been prepared in excellent yields following a new protocol wherein α-aminonitriles 1a−g as the aryl acyl anion equivalents readily react with propargyl bromide as the α-bromoacetone equivalent. The alkylated product undergoes one-pot unmasking of the keto functionality along with Markovnikov's hydration of the terminal alkyne with CuSO₄·5H₂O in aqueous methanol at 60 °C to furnish the desired target in excellent isolated yields.