Neighbouring carbonyl group-assisted sequential 1,2-azide and 1,4-oxygen migrations of vinyl azides leading to α-azido ketones

The development of azide migration reactions is a formidable challenge due to potential competition from side processes driven by the release of molecular nitrogen. Here, we show a novel neighbouring carbonyl group-assisted sequential 1,2-azide and 1,4-oxygen migration reaction of α-vinyl azides for the efficient preparation of a range of α-azido ketones. This represents the first transformation of α-vinyl azides into α-azido ketones. Notable features of this method are its high efficiency, broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and high yields. The computational studies gave a key insights into the regioselective 1,2-azide and 1,4-oxygen migrations assisted by the neighbouring carbonyl group. Further conversions into a variety of nitrogen-containing compounds demonstrated the synthetic utility of the α-azido ketone products. Preliminary mechanistic studies disclosed a novel reaction mechanism involving neighbouring carbonyl group-assisted sequential 1,2-azide and 1,4-oxygen migrations.