Cobalt-Catalyzed Direct Aminocarbonylation of Ethers: Efficient Access to α-Amide Substituted Ether Derivatives

Ethers are of central importance in the fields of biomass, energy, and organic chemistry. Herein, a novel cobalt-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of ethers with amines to construct alpha-carbonylated ethers has been achieved. Remarkably, Alfuzosin, a medicine for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can be synthesized by this process straightforwardly. Notably, this protocol presents the first example on the direct carbonylative reaction of ethers.

Automated summary

A novel cobalt-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of ethers with amines has been achieved, leading to the synthesis of biologically active compounds. This protocol presents the first example of direct carbonylative reaction of ethers, providing an important method for the construction of alpha-carbonylated ethers.