Synthesis of aliphatic α-ketoamides from α-substituted methyl ketones via a Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation.

α-Ketoamides are an important key functional group and have been used as versatile and valuable intermediates and synthons in a variety of functional group transformations. Synthetic methods for making aryl α-ketoamides as drug candidates have been greatly improved through metal-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidations. However, the preparation of alkyl α-ketoamides through metal-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidations has not been reported because generating α-ketoamides from aliphatic ketones with two α-carbons theoretically provides two distinct α-ketoamides. Our strategy is to activate the α-carbon by introducing an N-substituent at one of the two α-positions. The key to this strategy is how heterocyclic compounds such as triazoles and imidazoles affect the selectivity of the synthesis of the alkyl α-ketoamides. From this basic concept, and by optimizing the reaction and elucidating the mechanism of the synthesis of aryl α-ketoamides via a copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation, we prepared fourteen aliphatic α-ketoamides in high yields (48-84%).

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of 2-Substituted Methyl Benzo[b]furan-3-carboxylates.

A concise and highly efficient synthetic pathway was developed for 2-substituted methyl benzo[b]furan-3-carboxylates. This method provides convenient and cost-effective access for 2-substituted methyl benzo[b]furan-3-carboxylates without the use of a transition metal catalyst for synthesis. Furthermore, in most cases, this method gives excellent yields and conventional flash column chromatography is not needed for purification.