Cyclic and acyclic 1,3,3'-triketones were prepared by the reactions adoptin
g beta -diketones and anhydrides in the presence of barium or strontium hyd
rides in high yields. Crystal structure of 4-acetyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5
-heptanedione (3a) represented the dorminant keto form and provided evidenc
e for intermolecular C-H . . .O hydrogen bonds (average C . . .O distance;
3.437 Angstrom, average C-H . . .O angle. 169.25 degrees). (C) 2001 Elsevie
r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.