Copper-Catalyzed N-Benzoylation of Amines via Aerobic C-C Bond Cleavage

A general copper/air catalytic system for selectively oxidative C-C bond cleavage of 1,2-diarylethan-1-one has been developed, giving aromatic aldehydes and N-benzoylation products of various amines in moderate to excellent yields. This research provides an alternative approach for the N-benzoylation of amine in mild and neutral conditions.