Indium-Mediated Addition of Unactivated Alkyl Halides to Aldehydes in Water

Significance

The authors report here an interesting variation of the Barbier-Grignard-type alkyl­ation of aldehydes, including both aromatic and aliphatic ones, using non-activated alkyl iodides in water. This method offers an interesting methodological approach toward new green synthetic chemistry. Besides, it may be quite useful for the functionalization of molecules bearing acidic protons, which are not compatible with the conventional Grignard chemistry. The reaction is very simple to perform and offers moderate to good product yields.