Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Synthesis of α-Ketoamides from Aryl Methyl Ketones and N-Bromobutanimide Using N,N-Dimethylformamide as Dimethylamine Source

Abstract

A novel and practical Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed oxidative synthesis of α-ketoamides from aryl methyl ketones and N-bromobutanimide (NBS) using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as dimethylamine (HNMe2) source and solvent has been developed under mild conditions. DMF was used as a HNMe2 source and can be easily converted into HNMe2 by acid hydrolysis. The mechanistic studies indicate that Cu(OAc)2 plays a dual role in providing both catalyst and oxidant.