Oxidative C(Sp3)-H activation and C-N cleavage of N-methyl amines under transition-metal-free condition for synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-diketones

A transition-metal-free oxidative methylenation reaction was developed. Methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds were synthesized by oxidative C(Sp(3))-H activation and C-N cleavage of N-methyl amines. This novel reaction avoids the use of transition metal catalyst. Furthermore, the reaction are very mild and operational convenient. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.