Benzalacetophenone conjugate addition

Kharasch and Tawney (1941) reported that copper salts catalyze 1,4-addi-tion of Grignard reagents to a,jS-unsaturated ketones. Gilman et al. (1952) first discovered that phenylcopper reacts with benzalacetophenone in a 1,4-addition. Subsequently House and associates (1966) have revealed the scope of the conjugate addition of cuprate complexes. Now alkyl, vinyl, and aryl groups can be introduced specifically at the p position of a,jS-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Transfer of an allyl group from lithium diallylcuprate to 2-cyclohexenone is also known (House and Fischer, 1969). However, ethynyl, cyano, and hetero groups attached to the copper atom are difficult to transfer to electron-poor olefins. 

The addition of diazomethane to a,/l-unsaturated ketones, e.g., benzalace-tone and benzalacetophenone, results in A -pyrazolines (16) which decompose thermally to the conjugated ketones (17). Cyclopropane formation is not observed in this instance. 

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