Copper/Manganese Cocatalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Vinylarenes with Ketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.orglett.5b02116

A novel copper/manganese cocatalyzed direct oxidative coupling of terminal vinylarenes with ketones via C(sp³)-H bond functionalization following C-C bond formation has been developed using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the radical initiator. Various ketones underwent a free-radical addition of terminal vinylarenes to give the corresponding 1,4-dicarbonyl products with excellent regioselectivity and efficiency through one step. A possible reaction mechanism has been proposed.