Cu-Catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond: Synthesis of -ketoamides

A novel synthesis of alpha-ketoamides from Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond cleavage of hydrocinnamaldehydes has been developed. Readily available and environmentally benign oxygen is used as the oxidant. This reaction avoids the use of noble metal catalysts or specialized oxidants, and chemoselectively yields alpha-ketoamide. Moreover, based on various control experiments, a reasonable mechanism is proposed. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.