nBu(4)NI-Catalyzed oxidative imidation of ketones with imides: synthesis of alpha-amino ketones

nBu(4)NI-Catalyzed oxidative imidation of ketones and imides for the synthesis of a-amino ketones were realized for the first time. The methodology is characterized by its wide substrate scope even for acetone with readily available phthalimide, saccharin and succinimide, which opens a new pathway for direct imidation of ketones.