Ketene, Diketene, and 1,3-Cyclobutanedione Chemistry – Industrial Relevance, Reactivity, and Emerging Applications of Cyclobutane Motifs

Abstract

Ketene and diketene are cornerstone intermediates of industrial chemistry, enabling synthesis of a wide range of functional products. Beyond their established applications, side products of ketene dimerization provide access to 1,3-cyclobutanedione and triketene chemistry. This review highlights industrial relevance, reactivity, scalable access to 1,3-cyclobutanedione via the dione salt, and emerging applications of cyclobutane motifs in pharmaceuticals, emphasizing opportunities for further derivatization and process development.