title: Copper(II)-Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylimidates: Synthesis of Primary α-Ketoamides.
abstract: A simple and straightforward method for the synthesis of primary α-ketoamides has been discovered. The reaction represents the first example of benzylimidates directly converting to primary α-ketoamides by using sustainable molecular oxygen as an oxidant. This reaction proceeds in the presence of copper(II) salt via cleavage of benzylic C-H and C-O bonds of the benzylimidates with liberation of alcohols as the only byproduct. A wide substrate scope, operationally mild conditions, the use of single substrates, and a reaction scaled up to grams make this strategy very attractive and practical. Furthermore, mechanistic studies illustrate that the imidate group adjacent to the benzylic position plays crucial role in facilitating this chemical process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna , Bihta 801103, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna , Bihta 801103, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Mukta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Patna , Patna 800005, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna , Bihta 801103, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar