Corey–Seebach reaction

The lithiated 1,3-dithianes serves as an acyl anion equivalent, undergoing alkylation with electrophiles.

[1] The reaction is named in honor of its discoverers, Elias J. Corey and Dieter Seebach.

[2] As a strategy for protecting aldehydes and ketones, dithiane formation is cumbersome because deprotection is inefficient.

The Corey–Seebach reaction is of interest as an acyl anion equivalent, allowing aldehydes to be converted to ketones.

[6][8] The reaction between lithiated 1,3-dithianes and arenesulfonates offers a similar path to that of alkyl halides, being able to form dithioacetals which can be converted to ketones.