Synthesis of α-Ketoamides via Gold(I) Carbene Intermediates

alpha-Ketoamides have been found to be an important functional group in a broad spectrum of inhibitors such as the Corona virus and other viruses. Here we report an unprecedented gold-catalyzed 2-fold reaction of a bromoalkyne with anthranils. Hydrolysis of the initial product then directly leads to alpha-ketoamides. Water addition to the intermediate alpha-iminoimidoyl halides delivered alpha-ketoamides from a broad range of bromoalkynes.

Automated summary

The study presents a novel gold-catalyzed 2-fold reaction of a bromoalkyne with anthranils to produce alpha-ketoamides. This method provides a new synthetic approach for preparing this functional group.