Copper-Catalyzed Substrate-Controlled Carbonylative Synthesis of α-Keto Amides and Amides from Alkyl Halides

Controllable production of alpha-keto amides and amides from the same substrates is an attractive goal in the field of transition-metal-catalyzed (double-)carbonylation. Herein, a novel copper-catalyzed highly selective double carbonylation of alkyl bromides has been developed. Moderate to good yields of alpha-keto amides were obtained as the only products. In the case of alkyl iodides, double- and mono-carbonylation can be achieved controllably under different conditions.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel copper-catalyzed method has been developed for the highly selective double carbonylation of alkyl bromides, yielding moderate to good yields of alpha-keto amides as the sole products. Under different conditions, controllable double- and mono-carbonylation can be achieved with alkyl iodides.