Pd-catalyzed amidation of 1,3-diketones with CO and azides via a nitrene intermediate

An efficient Pd-catalyzed amidation of 1,3-diketones has been developed using carbon monoxide and organic azides. This reaction provides a step-economic approach to produce beta-ketoamides from readily available compounds under mild ligand-, oxidant-, and base-free conditions. The mechanistic studies showed that the reaction occurred through anin situgenerated isocyanate intermediate.