Synthesis of α-oxygenated ketones and substituted catechols via the rearrangement of N-enoxy- and N-aryloxyphthalimides

A common approach to the synthesis of α-oxygenated carbonyl compounds and catechols is the treatment of a carbonyl compound or a phenol with an electrophilic oxygen source. As an alternative approach to these important structures, formal [3,3]-rearrangements of N-enoxyphthalimides, N-enoxyisoindolinones, and N-aryloxyphthalimides have been explored. When used in combination with an initial Chan-Lam coupling, these transformations facilitate the dioxygenation of alkenylboronic acids for the synthesis of α-oxygenated ketones and the dioxygenation of arylboronic acids for the synthesis of catechols. The rearrangements of N-enoxyisoindolinones have also been shown to be diastereoselective.