Abstract:
This specification discloses a method for the preparation of a polycyclic ketone. The polycyclic ketone has at least two rings. At least one of these rings is an aromatic ring and another of these rings contains, as part of its ring structure, the carbon atom of a keto group. These latter two rings share two carbon atoms as part of their ring structures. In the method, an olefin or an acetylene is reacted with an aromatic ketone. This aromatic ketone has at least one aromatic ring and the aromatic ring has a side chain containing a keto group. The carbon atom on one side of the keto group has at least one hydrogen atom connected thereto and the carbon atom on the other side of the keto group is part of the aromatic ring. The reaction of the olefin or acetylene with the aromatic ketone is carried out in the presence of an ion of manganese, cerium, or vanadium in a higher valent form.