One-pot synthesis of ketones and symmetrical anhydrides from carboxylic acids.

A one-pot synthesis of ketones from carboxylic acids is presented, employing 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride as an activating reagent in the presence of organomagnesium or organolithium nucleophiles. Additionally, activation of the carboxylic acids with 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride enabled the formation of symmetrical anhydrides. Subsequent conversion of these anhydrides into the desired ketones also proceeded with good yields.