Biomimetic Synthesis of Twenty‐four Long‐chained Diketones as Precursors for Muscone and Further Macrocyclic Ketones

The one‐carbon unit transfer reaction of tetrahydrofolate coenzyme was initiated. Bisbenzimidazolium salts were used as a tetrahydrofolate coenzyme model, and thus the biomimetic synthesis of twenty‐four acyclic diketones as precursors for macrocyclic ketones was successfully accomplished by using the addition‐hydrolysis reaction of the bisbenzimidazolium salts with alkyl magnesium halide, wherein six diketones have not been reported in literature. Accordingly, a short route to muscone analogues was provided.