Abstract
We required assymmetrically labelled phenyl-2-propanone for secondary deuterium isotope effect studies. While benzoyl acetone has been exchanged selectively at the methylene position,1 attempts to deuterate phenyl-2-propanone selectively have failed.2,3 Since highly selective conditions for ketone exchange are not very common,4 I wish to report a very simple, mild, and convenient procedure for synthesizing PhCD2COCH3, and PhCH2COCD3 in high yield and isotopic purity.