Selective C-C Bond Cleavage of Cycloalkanones by NaNO2/HCl.

A novel selective fragmentation of cycloalkanones by NaNO2/HCl has been established. The C-C bond cleavage reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions, selectively affording versatile keto acids or oxime acids. The methodology can streamline the synthesis of valuable chiral molecules and isocoumarins from readily available feedstocks.