Cesium carbonate promoted aerobic oxidation of arylacetamides:: an efficient access to N-substituted α-keto amides

A novel cesium carbonate promoted aerobic oxidation reaction to prepare N-substituted alpha-keto amides in the presence of catalytic amount of tetra-n-butylammonium bromide was described. This reaction provides a very simple and convenient route from easily available arylacetamides in good to high yields. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.