A redox-neutral synthesis of ketones by coupling of alkenes and amides

The direct synthesis of ketones via carbon-carbon bond formation represents one of the most important challenges in organic synthesis. Hydroacylation of alkenes offers perhaps the most efficient and atom-economical approach for the preparation of ketones employing carbonyl compounds and alkenes as feedstocks. State-of-the-art hydroacylation is typically achieved by a transition metal-catalysed coupling of an aldehyde and an alkene but is plagued by competing decarbonylation, requiring the installation of directing groups in the aldehyde reactant. Herein, we present a method for the hydroacylation of alkenes employing amides in a metal-free regime, proceeding by a new mechanism and offering orthogonal reactivity to the conventional, metal-catalysed alternatives.