Copper(II)-Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylimidates: Synthesis of Primary α-Ketoamides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.6b01262

A simple and straightforward method for the synthesis of primary α-ketoamides has been discovered. The reaction represents the first example of benzylimidates directly converting to primary α-ketoamides by using sustainable molecular oxygen as an oxidant. This reaction proceeds in the presence of copper(II) salt via cleavage of benzylic C-H and C-O bonds of the benzylimidates with liberation of alcohols as the only byproduct. A wide substrate scope, operationally mild conditions, the use of single substrates, and a reaction scaled up to grams make this strategy very attractive and practical. Furthermore, mechanistic studies illustrate that the imidate group adjacent to the benzylic position plays crucial role in facilitating this chemical process.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.6b01262

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Article
Copper (II)-Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of
Benzylimidates: Synthesis of Primary alpha-Ketoamides
Yogesh Kumar, Mukta Shaw, Rima Thakur, and Amit Kumar
J. Org. Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.6b01262 • Publication Date (Web): 27 Jun 2016
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on June 29, 2016
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Copper (II)-Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylimidates:
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Synthesis of Primary α-Ketoamides
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Yogesh Kumar,†Mukta Shaw,† Rima Thakur ‡and Amit Kumar*,†
†Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihta 801103, Bihar, India.
‡Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Patna, Patna- 800 005, Bihar, India.
*E-mail: amitkt@iitp.ac.in or amitktiitk@gmail.com
Table of Contents/Abstract Graphic
ABSTRACT
A simple and straightforward method for the synthesis of primary α-ketoamides has been
discovered. The reaction represents the first example of benzylimidates directly converting in to
primary α-ketoamides by using sustainable molecular oxygen as an oxidant. This reaction
proceeds in the presence of copper (II) salt via cleavage of benzylic C-H and C-O bonds of the
benzylimidates with liberation of alcohols as the only by-product. A wide substrate scope,
operationally mild conditions, usage of single substrates and scaled up to gram make this
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strategy very attractive and practical. Furthermore, mechanistic studies illustrate that imidate
group adjacent to benzylic position plays crucial role for facilitating this chemical process.
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INTRODUCTION
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The ubiquitous presence of α-ketoamides as key structural feature in many biologically active
natural compounds such as tacrolimus (FK506), rapamycin, euryststin A and B and poststatin
(Figure 1) makes this an attractive target for organic chemist.1-3 Moreover, it serves as building
blocks for variety of functional group transformations, particularly the primary α-ketoamides.4
HO
O
O
HO
MeO
R
HN
NH
HN
MeO
O
O
O
NH
O
O
HO
O
OH
O
N
O
N
O
Eurystatin A: R= Me
Eurystatin B: R= Et
O
O
O
MeO
O
O
O
HO
HO
O
OMe
OMe
OMe
FK506
O
O
O
H
H
Rapamycin
N
N
H2N
N
N
OH
H
H
O
O
O
Poststatin
Pos = (S)-3-amino-2-oxopentanoic acid
Figure 1. α-Ketoamides in bioactive natural molecules.
Owing to their high importance, preparation of this class of compounds have drawn considerable
attention in recent years.5,6 While synthetic methods towards secondary7,8 and tertiary α-
ketoamides9-11 are well studied, there are only limited reports for synthesis of primary α-
ketoamides.12 Scheme 1 summarizes some of the well established methods for the synthesis of
primary α-ketoamides; (a) zinc chloride promoted formal oxidative coupling of aromatic
aldehydes and isocyanides, followed by treatment with TFA in DCM to provide primary α-
ketoamides (Scheme 1a);13a (b) electrochemical oxidative synthesis from acetophenones with
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ammonium acetate (Scheme 1b);13b (c) I2-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling amidation between
aryl methyl ketones and formamidine hydrochloride (Scheme 1c).13c
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Scheme 1. Different approaches toward primary α-ketoamides
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The above mentioned methods require two substrates, where external nitrogen sources were
used to get free amine and suffer drawback of involving multisteps to generate the target
molecules. Thus, there is a need to develop improved strategy for primary α-ketoamides which
should fulfil the following criteria: (a) usage of single substrate, where nitrogen should be pre-
installed; (b) environment friendly oxidant; (c) liberation of less harmful by-products, which ease
the purification process and could also explain the high isolated yields. Pursuing this challenge, it
was envisioned that readily synthesized benzylimidates 1a, where benzyl group is attached to
imidate (NH) at α-position, could serve as an ideal substrate. To the best of our knowledge, use
of benzylimidates as key precursor for straightforward synthesis of primary α-ketoamides has not
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been reported earlier. Herein, we report copper(II)-mediated direct synthesis of primary-α-
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ketoamides using molecular oxygen as an oxidant from benzylimidates (Scheme 1d).
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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To test our hypothesis, we have selected copper as a catalyst due to their less toxic nature in
comparison to other transition metals and ability to coordinate with imines14,15 benzylimidate 1a
was selected as the model substrate to optimize the reaction conditions. To our delight, the
reaction of 1a in the presence of molecular oxygen (1 atm pressure)16 as oxidant15a, and
copper(II) acetate (0.1 equiv) as metal catalyst in DMF afforded the desired primary α-ketoamide
2a, albeit in a low yield of 10% (Table 1, entry 1). It is noteworthy that 2-oxo-phenylacetate 3a
was also formed as a by-product in 7% isolated yield in this case (Table 1, entry 1) and rest
starting material was recovered. However, it was observed that when reaction was performed in
absence of copper salt, no desired product was obtained (entry 2). Based on the initial result,
different copper salts were surveyed (Table 1). Copper(II) acetate turned out to be the best choice
(entry 13) among the other copper salts such as copper(II) acetate monohydrate, copper(I)
thiophene-2-carboxylate, copper(I) bromide, copper(I) chloride and copper(I) cyanide (Table 1,
entries 4-12). Moreover, loading of copper salts play critical role in enhancing the efficiency of
reaction. Increase in loading of copper(II) acetate from 1 equiv. to 2 equiv. resulted in higher
yield (74%) of desired product (Table 1, entry 14). Further increase in loading of catalyst from 2
equiv to 2.5 equiv was futile; there was no improvement in yield (Table 1, entry 22). The effects
of different solvents (polar and non-polar) on the reaction were screened and DMF was found to
be the most suitable (entries 15-21). Apart from copper(II) salts, other transition metals such as
iron(III), nickel(II) and palladium(II) proved to be inefficient in this transformation (Table 1,
entries 23-25). After extensive screening of different parameters, yield of the desired primary α-
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ketoamide 2a was improved to 74% (entry 14), in which chemoselectivity was highly controlled
with only trace amount of 2-oxo-phenylacetate 3a formation.
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Table 1. Optimization of the reaction conditionsa
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O
O
Cu salt (x equiv.)
O2 (balloon)
OEt
NH
OEt
NH2
solvent
O
O
80 oC , 6 h
3a
2a
1a
Entry
Catalyst
Solvent
Equiv. Yield Yield
of 2ab
(%)
of
3ab
(%)
7
-
10
8
1
2
3
4
Cu(OAc)2
none
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
•H2O
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
0.10
-
0.20
1.0
10
-
17
54
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8c
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16
Cu(OTf)2
CuCl
CuCl2
CuTc
CuBr
CuCN
CuI
Cu2O
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
ACN
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
34
35
40
45
40
5
-
-
60
74
52
20
-
traces
traces
traces
8
-
traces
-
-
traces
9
1,4-
Dioxane
DCE
8
17
18
19
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
2.0
2.0
2.0
16
24
18
10
15
10
Toluene
Chloro
-benzene
NMP
DMSO
DMF
20
21
22
23
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
Cu(OAc)2
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.0
46
48
73
4
4
traces
-
Fe (NO3)3.
9H2O
DMF
traces
24
Ni(OAc)2.
DMF
2.0
-
-
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4H2O
Pd(OAc)2
25
DMF
2.0
-
-
aReaction conditions: 1a (0.2mmol), copper salts (x equiv.), O2 balloon (1 atm), solvent (2.0 mL)
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at 80 oC for 6 h. bIsolated yield of the products. cCuTc= copper(I) thiophene-2-carboxylate.
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The reactivity of different O-alkyl in the alkoxy group of -phenyl-acetimidates 1 was next
investigated (Table 2) under the established reaction conditions. It was observed that the reaction
was compatible with different alkyl substituent and among them ethyl substituted (entry 1)
displayed better results as compared to methyl (entry 2), n-propyl (entry 3) and iso-propyl (entry
4) derivatives.
Table 2. Effect of alkyl in alkoxy group in the benzylimidatesa
O
[Cu(OAc)2] (2.0 equiv.)
OR
NH
NH2
O2 (balloon)
O
DMF (2.0 mL)
80 oC , 6 h
2
1
Entry
R
Yieldb (%)
1
2
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4
- CH2CH3
- CH3
-CH2CH2CH3
-CH(CH3)2
74
70
68
64
aFor reaction conditions: see entry 14, Table 1.b Isolated yield of the products.
Having optimized the reaction conditions, we examined the scope of copper-mediated aerobic
oxidative amidation of -aryl/heteroaryl-O-alkyl acetimidates and results are presented in Table
3. The results indicated that benzylimidates with both electron-donating group (-OMe, 3,4-
OCH2O and-Me) at various positions (ortho-, meta- and para-substituted) and electronically-
neutral substrates (-Ph) at para- position smoothly transformed into the desired products in
moderate to good yields (69-85%; Table 3, entries 2a–2i). However, it was observed that
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presence of strong electron-withdrawing group, such as the nitro group, had a negative effect on
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the reaction yield. Only 36% yield of the desired product was obtained 2j.
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Table 3.Substrate scope of 2-arylacetimidates for the formation of primary α-ketoamidesa,b
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O
[Cu(OAc)2]
OEt
NH
NH2
O2 (balloon)
O
DMF (5.0 mL)
80 oC , 6 h
R
R
2
1
Electron rich/ deficient primary -ketoamides
O
O
O
O
H3C
NH2
NH2
NH2
NH2
O
O
O
O
O
H3C
MeO
2b (75%)
O
2c (81%)
O
2d (69%)
O
2a (74%)
OMe O
NH
NH2
2 MeO
NH2
NH2
O
O
O
Ph
2e (79%)
O
2f (73%)
O
2g (74%)
2h (74%)
NH2
O
O
NH2
O
O
O2N
2j (36%)c
2i (85%)
Halogeneted primary -ketoamides
O
O
O
O
NH2
NH2
NH2
O
F
NH2
O
O
2m (73%)d
O
2n (60%)
Cl
F
Br
2k (62%)d
O
2l (60%)d
O
F
Cl
Cl
NH2
NH2
O
O
2p (32%)c
2o (51%)
Hetero aromatic primary -ketoamides
O
NH2
O
O
NH2
O
O
NH2
S
O
NH2
O
O
N
N
Ph
2r (56%)d
2s (58%)d
2q (42%)
2aa (0%)
a For reaction conditions: see entry 14, Table 1. Isolated yield of the products are given in
b
parenthesis. c The reaction was run for 12 h, d The reaction was run for 10 h.
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It is noteworthy that benzylimidates possessing halo-groups (bromo, chloro and fluoro) survived
well, leading to halo-substituted α-ketoamides (entries 2k-2p). These products can act as a
potential intermediate in organic synthesis. It should be mentioned that when
dichlorobenzylimidate was treated under similar conditions, we got slightly lower yield of
product 2p. These results reveal that benzylimidates bearing electron-donating substituents give
higher yields as opposed to those bearing electron-withdrawing groups. The plausible reason
could be stabilization of benzylic radical by electron-donating groups. At the same time,
electron-withdrawing groups destabilized the benzylic radical to afford the target products in
lower yields.17 Correspondingly, we expanded the scope of this methodology toward synthesis of
heteroaryl α-ketoamides derivatives (entries 2q-2s) which was procured in moderate yields. On
the other hand, attempts to obtain alkyl substituted α-ketoamide by the established protocol,
failed to give desired product 2aa.This result clearly demonstrates that benzylic hydrogen
adjacent to the imidate group is essential for the successes of this transformation.
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Recently Wu and co-workers have reported an efficient route for the synthesis of primary α-
ketoamides via iodine catalyzed oxidative amidation of aryl methyl ketones in the presence of
formamidine hydrochloride.13c In their work, major limitation lies on use of formamidine
hydrochloride as an external source to generate a free amine which make this strategy less
attractive for gram scale synthesis. To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our
developed method, gram scale synthesis of α-ketoamides was carried out under standard
condition. The reactions involving 5.0 mmol of 2-methoxy-benzylimidate 1e (Scheme 2a) and 3,
4-(methylenedioxy)-benzylimidate 1i (Scheme 2b) as substrate were investigated under
optimized conditions. Subsequently, the products 2e and 2i were procured in 0.68 g (76%) and
0.75 g (78%) yield, respectively. Yields of the desired products are comparable to earlier
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literature reports13 and milder conditions, usage of single easily synthesisable (pre-installed
nitrogen) starting material make this methodology applicable in synthetic as well as in medicinal
chemistry.
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Scheme2.
Scale-up
Experiment
of
2-Methoxy-benzylimidate
and
3,
4-
(methylenedioxy)benzylimidate.
To illustrate the reaction mechanism, a series of additional experiments were conducted. Firstly,
2-phenylacetonitrile 1ab was treated under the optimized reaction conditions but there was no
formation of desired product 2a (Scheme 3a). Further, we assumed that 2-phenylacetamide 1ac
could be a potential intermediate and hence was subjected to the standard reaction conditions
(Scheme 3b). However, the product 2a was not obtained. These results clearly indicate that 1ab
and 1ac might not be the possible intermediates in this oxidative transformation. Subsequently,
to investigate the role of molecular O2, following control experiments were carried out as shown
in Scheme 4. When the reaction was performed under open air atmosphere instead of pure
molecular oxygen, required product was obtained in moderate yield (Scheme 4a). Similarly,
benzylimidate 1a was subjected under nitrogen atmosphere and no desired product was obtained.
Next, when reactions were performed in absence of molecular oxygen using other chemical
oxidants, such as K2S2O8 and KHSO5 under standard reaction conditions, no further success was
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achieved (Scheme 4b), and starting material was intact (TLC analysis). Hence, it is concluded
that presence of molecular oxygen is necessary for this transformation. To rule out the
indispensable effect of water, reaction was conducted using anhydrous DMF under standard
conditions. Interestingly, desired product was isolated in good yield (Scheme 4c). Thus, this
observation revealed that there is no participation of water in reaction medium.
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Scheme 3.Identification of possible intermediates
Scheme 4.Control Experiments
To confirm possible radical pathways involved in the reaction mechanism, radical scavenger
(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) was added to the model reaction under the
standard condition (Scheme 5, eq. 1). To our surprise, primary α-ketoamide 2a was obtained in
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low yield, and interestingly a TEMPO adduct was observed via HRMS analysis (see the
Supporting Information).18 When other alternative radical scavenger such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-
methylphenol (BHT) and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (3-DNB) were added to the model reaction, as
anticipated, the desired product 2a was obtained in low yield (Scheme 5, eq. 2 and 3). Although
the radical-trapping adducts were not isolated in both cases, the observed results indicate that the
reaction is likely to involve a radical pathway. Also, the formation of superoxide radical was
detected by electro paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements (Figure 2), by using 5,5-
dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a selective superoxide free radical trapping reagent.
The EPR signal corresponding to DMPO-superoxide adduct was indentified (Figure 2a), and
calculated g-value is gav(2.0037).8b Moreover, the signal of DMPO-superoxide adduct
disappeared in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Figure 2b) or by the removal of the
copper(II) salt or benzylimidate (Figure 2c and 2d). These results additionally support that the
reaction must have proceeded through radical pathway.
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Scheme 5.Radical Inhibition Experiments
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a) Std + DMPO
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b) Std + SOD + DMPO
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c) Std + without Cu(OAc)2 + DMPO
d) Std + without imidate + DMPO
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3460
3480
3500
H/G
Figure2. EPR spectra (X band, 9.4 GHz, room temperature) of the reaction under the standard
o
condition (1a, Cu(OAc)2, O2 balloon (1 atm), toluene, 80 C) (a) in the presence of radical
trapping reagent, DMPO (5 x10-2M) at 25 oC. The calculated hyperfine splitting isgav=2.0037(b)
The same solution with the addition of SOD (5 x 10-2M) and DMPO (5 x 10-2M) at 25 C. (c)
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The same reaction condition without Cu(OAc)2 (d) the same reaction condition without imidate.
All spectra were analysed by EPR at 25 oC.
1
Aware of the fact that alcohol liberates as byproduct, we decided to conduct a few H NMR
experiments. A 0.20 mmol solution of benzylimidate (1d) in DMSO-d6 taken in NMR tube
(Figure 3), was subjected under standard reaction condition. Continued monitoring of the
reaction (interval of 3 h, 6 h and 9h) showed (Figure 3b, 3c and 3d) shows significant appearance
of new peak and complete reduction of benzylic peak at δ 3.46 ppm. The appearance of new
peak δ 3.74 (m, -CH), & δ 1.01 (d,-CH3) ppm correspond to the isopropyl alcohol. This method
satisfies the aforesaid set criteria by us and the reaction proceeds through cleavage of two
benzylic (C-H) and one (C-O) bonds of the benzylimidates with liberation of alcohol as by-
product.
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Figure3.Monitoring the reaction of benzylimidate (1d) (0.2 mmol), Cu(OAc)2 (0.02 mmol) O2
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balloon (1 atm) at 80 C in DMSO-d6, by NMR. (a) H NMR spectrum of 1d in DMSO-d6; (b)
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1H NMR spectra of the reaction mixture after 3.0 h. (c) H NMR spectra of the reaction mixture
after 6.0 h. (d) 1H NMR spectra of the reaction mixture after 9.0 h.
Mechanistic Considerations: Based on the above exploring experiments, and earlier literature
reports,8b,15b we herein propose plausible mechanism for the copper-mediated aerobic oxidative
amidation of benzylimidates (Scheme 6). To initiate the reaction, copper(II) salt coordinates with
(-NH) of benzylimidate to generate animinyl copper (II) species A.15b Subsequently, species A
could be oxidized to the superoxide radical B8b via radical pathway I under molecular oxygen,
which eventually would form six-member transition state C. Another pathway II may occur
according to earlier reports.14a,15b Iminyl copper (II) complex A will be oxidized in presence of
O2 to form the highly reactive copper (III)-superoxide species D which will rapidly undergo
intramolecular 1,3 hydrogen-shift leading to formation of peroxycopper species E. Copper (II)
would thus coordinate with (-NH) of benzylimidate to generate six-member transition state C.
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This highly reactive copper (III) species may undergo intramolecular addition to imine forming
the corresponding aminyl species F.8b,19 Further, species F would undergo hydrogen abstraction
assisted by copper(II) or O2, resulting in intermediate G. Finally, fragmentation of G would
produce the desired primary α-ketoamide 2a.
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Scheme 6. A proposed reaction mechanism for the formation of primary α-ketoamides
The established protocol was correspondingly employed in the formal synthesis of a marine
sponge dihydrohamacanthins 3.20 This compound belongs to the family of bisindole alkaloids
having many interesting biological properties like antitumor and cytotoxic activities.20b,c Thus,
the crucial intermediate 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetamide 2t was prepared directly (Scheme 7)
from indolylimidate 1t in moderate yield 52%. The compound 2t has been reported in
literature20c for total synthesis of dihydrohamacanthins.
Scheme 7. Formal total synthesis of dihydrohamacanthins
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we have developed a simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of primary α-
ketoamides from easily obtained benzylimidate derivatives using copper(II) acetate-mediated
aerobic oxidative amidation. The exclusivity of this strategy lies in the use of benzylimidates as a
single substrate, which directly converts into primary α-ketoamides. Also, mechanistic studies
show that imidate group adjacent to benzylic position plays crucial role in this transformation.
The reaction circumvents the need of two substrates and usages of ligands and bases. The
advantages of this methodology include high substrate efficiency, straightforward operation and
liberation of alcohol as the only by-product. The synthetic application of this approach is
currently under investigation in our laboratory.
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
General Information
All substrates, reagents and solvents were commercially available and used without further
purification. All the reactions were monitored by TLC followed by exposure to UV light and/or
using iodine chamber for visualization. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel
(ethyl acetate and hexanes (in different ratio) solvent system). FTIR spectra were recorded in
with absorption in cm–1. H NMR (400 MHz) and C-NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl3 or
DMSO-d6 as solvent at room temperature. Chemical shifts (in ppm) were reported using
tetramethylsilane (δ = 0 ppm) as an internal standard in CDCl3 (δ = 7.26 ppm) or DMSO-d6 (δ =
1
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2.49 ppm) solvent. Data are reported as follows: chemical shift (in ppm), multiplicity (s =
singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, m = multiplet, br s = broad singlet), coupling constants (J, in Hz).
13C-NMR spectra were recorded with CDCl3 (δ = 77.0 ppm) or DMSO-d6 (δ = 39.7 ppm) as
internal reference. EPR data were recorded at 9.4 GHzspectrometers. Modulation frequency 100
kHz and Modulation amplitude 10 G. DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) was as a
selective superoxide free radical trapping reagent. HRMS were recorded using ESI (Q-TOF,
positive ion) technique. Melting points were recorded with automated melting point apparatus
without corrections.
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General Procedure for the Preparation of Imidates hydrochloride.21a
The reaction flask was containing a solution of a nitrile (1 mmol) and an alcohol (12 mmol) was
cooled to 0 oC under nitrogen atmosphere. Then, AcCl (8 mmol) was added drop by drop to the
stirring solution by the syringe. The reaction was monitored after certain time interval with the
help of TLC. When the reaction was completed (monitored by TLC), the volatiles solvents were
removed under reduced pressure. Compound was dried under reduced pressure to isolate the
imidate hydrochloride salt. Further, imidate hydrochloride salt was dissolved in 20 mL EtOAc
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and cooled up to 0 C. A cooled saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution was added slowly into the
salt solution, until CO2 gas evolution had ceased. The product was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 10
mL) and water and the organic solution was washed with H2O (10 mL) and brine (10 mL), dried
with anhydrous Na2SO4and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the pure imidates.
Ethyl-2-phenylacetimidate hydrochloride (1a).21a 180 mg, 90% yield; white solid; IR (ATR)
3377, 2922, 1659, 1496, 1447, 1389, 1096 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.67 (br s, 1H),
11.62 (br s, 1H), 7.27-7.19 (m, 5H), 4.07 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.54 (s, 2H), 1.18 (t, J = 8.0 Hz,
3H).
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Ethyl-2-m-tolylacetimidate hydrochloride (1b).22a 196 mg, 92% yield; white solid; IR (ATR)
3332, 2923, 2853, 1668, 1461, 1389, 1256 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.66 (br s, 1H),
11.64 (br s, 1H), 7.22-7.12 (m, 3H), 7.10-7.07 (m, 1H), 4.62 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 2.35
(s, 3H), 1.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-p-tolylacetimidate hydrochloride (1c).22a 204 mg, 95% yield; white solid; IR (ATR)
3310, 2995, 2755, 1646, 1565, 1379, 1128 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.62 (br s, 1H),
11.61 (br s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.15 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.60 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.99
(s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 1.43 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1d).22a 183 mg, 80% yield; white solid;
IR (ATR) 3220, 2806, 1654, 1565, 1510, 1341, 1083 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.60
(br s, 1H), 11.59 (br s, 1H), 7.36 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.87 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.60 (q, J = 8.0
Hz, 2H), 3.97 (s, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 1.43 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1e).22a 197 mg, 86% yield; white solid;
IR (ATR) 2804, 1639, 1584, 1494, 1389, 1246 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.16 (br s,
1H), 11.68 (br s, 1H), 7.31 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H),
6.88 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (s, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 1.38 (t, J = 8.0 Hz,
3H).
Ethyl-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1f).22a 205 mg, 89% yield; white solid;
IR (ATR) 2996, 2786, 1651, 1574, 1455, 1385, 1098 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.67
(br s, 1H), 11.65 (br s, 1H), 7.26 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 7.00 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.87
(d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.62 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 1.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-(naphthalene-2-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1g).21b 214 mg, 86% yield; white solid;
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IR (ATR) 2911, 2760, 1647, 1571, 1442, 1386, 1132 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.81
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(br s, 1H), 11.75 (br s, 1H), 7.91 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.82 (m, 3H), 7.54-7.48 (m, 3H), 4.63 (q, J = 8.0
Hz, 2H), 4.23 (s, 2H), 1.42 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-(biphenyl-4-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1h).21c 242 mg, 88% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3384, 2922, 1658, 1498, 1386, 1094 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.74 (br s,
1H), 11.73 (s, 1H), 7.57-7.51 (m, 6H), 7.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37-7.34 (m, 1H), 4.65 (q, J =
8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.10 (s, 2H), 1.47 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1i).22a 218 mg, 90% yield; white
solid; IR (ATR) 3298, 2993, 2818, 1643, 1569, 1498, 1354, 1253 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 12.51 (br s, 1H), 11.52 (br s, 1H), 6.85 (s, 2H), 6.71 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.90 (s, 2H),
4.55 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.88 (s, 2H), 1.38 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1j).21c 195 mg, 80% yield; light yellowish
solid; IR (ATR) 3310, 2806, 1654, 1510, 1386, 1341 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.84
(br s, 1H), 11.78 (br s, 1H), 8.17 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.60 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.59 (q, J = 8.0
Hz, 2H), 4.13 (s, 2H), 1.40 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(4-bromophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1k).22b 250 mg, 90% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3306, 2993, 2732, 1652, 1566, 1381 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.75 (br s,
1H), 11.70 (br s, 1H), 7.49 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.33 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.62 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H),
4.01 (s, 2H), 1.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1l).22a 186 mg, 80% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3435, 3215, 2923, 2852, 1658, 1584, 1464, 1244 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ
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12.75 (br s, 1H), 11.70 (br s, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.33 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.62 (q, J =
8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 1.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1m).22d 182 mg, 84% yield; white solid; IR
(ATR) 3362, 3114, 2988, 1652, 1486, 1390 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.71 (br s, 1H),
11.67 (br s, 1H), 7.45-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.07-7.03 (m, 2H), 4.62 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (s, 2H),
1.45 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-(3-fluorophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1n).22d 190 mg, 87% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3368, 3112, 2980, 1654, 1480, 1386 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.31-7.26 (m,
1H), 7.06-6.98 (m, 3H), 4.16 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.61 (s, 2H), 1.26 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(2-fluorophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1o).22d 191 mg, 88% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3362, 3116, 2986, 2828, 1737, 1655, 1493, 1385 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ
12.30 (br s, 1H), 7.47 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.15 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (t, J=
8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (s, 2H), 1.41 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1p).22b 213 mg, 80% yield; white solid;
IR (ATR) 3128, 2983, 2844, 1657, 1471, 1397, 1129 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.81
(br s, 1H), 11.80 (br s, 1H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.64
(q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 1.47 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(thiophen-2-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1q).22e 164 mg, 80% yield; brownish solid;
IR (ATR) 2995, 2774, 1644, 1573, 1444, 1386 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.69 (br s,
1H), 11.76 (br s, 1H), 7.19 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H),
4.66 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.29 (s, 2H), 1.48 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 3H).
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Ethyl-2-(1-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1r).21e 275 mg, 84% yield;
brownish solid; IR (ATR) 2983, 2779, 1645, 1570, 1454, 1358, 1152 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 12.37 (br s, 1H), 11.64 (br s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.23 (m,
4H), 7.17-7.09 (m, 4H), 5.29 (s, 2H), 4.59 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.20 (s, 2H), 1.41 (t, J = 8.0 Hz,
3H).
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Ethyl-2-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1s).21e 196 mg, 78% yield; white
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solid; IR (ATR) 2986, 2780, 1644, 1576, 1458, 1342, 1150 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-
d6) δ 12.62 (br s, 1H), 11.61 (br s, 1H), 7.87 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.36 (t, J =
8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.40 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.11 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 1.41 (t,
J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetimidate hydrochloride (1t).21e 190 mg, 80% yield; brownish solid;
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IR (ATR) 3457, 3268, 3119, 2974, 1651, 1574, 1455, 1385, 1098 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz,
DMSO-d6) δ 11.96 (br s, 1H), 11.17 (br s, 2H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H),
7.20-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.11 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H),
4.11 (s, 2H), 1.34 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
Ethyl-3-phenylpropanimidate hydrochloride (1aa).23b 187 mg, 88% yield; white solid; IR
(ATR) 2976, 2830, 1652, 1562, 1454, 1386, 1136 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.44 (br
s, 1H), 11.49 (br s, 1H), 7.32-7.25 (m, 5H), 4.57 (q, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (s, 4H), 1.40 (t, J = 8.0
Hz, 3H).
Methyl-2-phenylacetimidate hydrochloride (1ad).23a 187 mg, 88% yield; white solid; IR (ATR)
2922, 1650, 1480, 1446, 1390, 1068 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.86 (br s, 1H), 11.79
(br s, 1H), 7.43 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.34 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H), 4.26 (s, 3H), 4.07 (s, 2H).
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Isopropyl-2-phenylacetimidate hydrochloride (1ae).22a 200 mg, 94% yield; white solid; IR
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(ATR) 3319, 2977, 1645, 1372, 1274, 1075 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.48 (br s,
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(s, 2H), 1.39 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 6H).
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Propyl-2-phenylacetimidate hydrochloride (1af).22a 196 mg, 92% yield; white solid; IR (ATR)
3368, 2922, 1655, 1498, 1440, 1375, 1080 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.62 (br s, 1H),
11.58 (br s, 1H), 7.32-7.26 (m, 5H), 4.05 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (s, 2H), 1.67-1.60 (m, 2H),
0.91 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H).
General Procedures for the Synthesis of primary α-ketoamides
Imidates (0.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), anhydrous Cu(OAc)2 (1.0 mmol, 2.0 equiv.) were placed in a 25
mL round bottom flask and DMF (5.0 mL) was added by syringe. The reaction flask was sealed
with the rubber septum and the reaction mixture was degassed and refilled with O2 (1 atm)
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(repeated three times). Then the reaction mixture was heated to 80 C in the preheated oil bath
for the completion of the reaction. When the reaction was completed (monitored by TLC),
saturated aq. Na2CO3 (10 mL) and EtOAc (20 mL) were added to the reaction mixture. The dark
solid was removed by filtration through Celite bed and was washed with EtOAc (3 x 20 mL).
The organic solution was washed with H2O (10 mL) and brine (10 mL) solution. The organic
phase was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude
product was purified by using silica gel column chromatography and dried under vacuum.
2-Oxo-2-phenylacetamide (2a).13c 60.4 mg, 74% yield; yellow solid; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2)
= 0.5; mp 68-69 ℃; IR (ATR) 3423, 3332, 3209, 1666, 1594, 1450, 1230 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHz,CDCl3) δ 8.32 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 6.97
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(br s, 1H), 5.86 (br s, 1H);13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 187.3, 163.7, 134.6, 133.0, 131.1,
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2-Oxo-2-(m-tolyl)acetamide (2b).13b 61.2 mg, 75% yield; yellow wax; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc =
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8:2) = 0.5; IR (ATR) 3406, 3332, 3210, 1668, 1583, 1461, 1256, 1171 cm-1; H NMR (400
MHz,CDCl3)δ 8.11(s, 1H), 8.09 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (t, J = 7.6 Hz,
1H), 6.98 (br s, 1H), 6.16 (br s, 1H), 2.41 (s, 3H);13C NMR (100 MHz,CDCl3)δ 187.6, 164.1,
138.4, 135.4, 132.9, 131.4, 128.4, 128.3, 21.32.
2-Oxo-2-p-tolylacetamide (2c).13c 66.1 mg, 81% yield; white solid; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) =
0.5; mp 133-134 ℃; IR (ATR)3409, 3190, 1682, 1652, 1603, 1407, 1236 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.24-8.22 (m, 2H), 7.28 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 6.97 (br s, 1H), 5.89 (br s, 1H), 2.43
(s, 3H);13C NMR (100 MHz CDCl3) δ 186.8, 164.1, 145.8, 131.3, 130.5, 129.3, 21.9.
2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2d).13c 61.5 mg, 69% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.5; mp146-148 ℃; IR (ATR) 3384, 3190,2923, 2852, 2669, 2560,
1734, 1684, 1604, 1515, 1428, 1305, 1264 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.10
(br s, 1H), 8.01 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (br s, 1H), 7.01 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H);13C
NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 188.5, 167.0, 163.9, 132.2, 125.6, 113.8, 55.4.
2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2e).13c 70.5 mg, 79% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 7:3) = 0.2; mp 125-126 ℃; IR (ATR) 3380, 3185, 2923, 1681, 1651, 1597,
1484, 1288, 1248 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 7.72 (br s, 1H), 7.64 (d, J =
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9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (br s, 1H), 7.06-7.02 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H);13C NMR
(100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3)δ 191.1, 167.1, 159.2, 134.4, 130.1, 124.0, 120.3, 111.9, 55.6.
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2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2f).13c 65.3 mg ,73% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 7:3) = 0.3; mp94-95 ℃; IR (ATR) 3423, 3332, 3184, 2923, 1666, 1596,
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1580, 1485, 1262 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.89-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.71-7.70 (m, 1H),
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7.32 (t, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.13-7.10 (m, 1H), 6.90 (br s, 1H), 6.02 (br s, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H);13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 187.1, 163.9, 159.6, 134.1, 129.6, 124.1, 121.5, 114.6, 55.4.
2-(Naphthalen-2-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2g).13c 73.1 mg, 74% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.5; mp 192-194 ℃; IR (ATR) 3406, 3206, 1692, 1664, 1594, 1277
cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3)δ 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.30 (br s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
1H), 8.01 (s, 2H), 7.97 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (br s, 1H), 7.70-7.66 (m, 1H), 7.63-7.59 (m,
1H);13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 190.2, 166.8, 135.4, 132.7, 131.8, 130.1, 129.6,
129.0, 128.4, 127.6, 126.9, 123.9.
2-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2h).13c 83 mg, 74% yield; white solid; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc =
8:2) = 0.5; mp171-172 ℃; IR (ATR) 3415, 3220, 2923, 1693, 1662, 1592, 1557, 1403, 1247 cm-
1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.19 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 8.06 (br s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J
= 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (br s, 1H), 7.66 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.50-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.39 (m,
1H);13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3)δ 189.0, 166.1, 145.8, 138.8, 131.6, 130.5, 128.6,
128.1, 126.7, 126.6.
2-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2i).13c 82 mg, 85% yield; white solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.5; mp 171-173 ℃; IR (ATR) 3427, 3184, 2922, 1708, 1650, 1591,
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1489, 1441, 1258 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.16 (br s, 1H), 7.81 (br s,
1H), 7.70-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.00 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.14 (s, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz,
DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 188.3, 166.8, 152.5, 147.8, 127.3, 108.0, 102.1.
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2-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2j).13c 35 mg, 36% yield; yellow solid; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc
= 8:2) = 0.6; mp 155-157 ℃; IR (ATR)3447, 3223, 2923, 1712, 1685, 1524, 1348, 1221 cm-1; 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.52 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 6.99 (br s, 1H),
5.69 (br s, 1H);13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 185.6, 164.1, 150.5, 137.5, 132.3, 123.5.
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2-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2k).13c 70 mg, 62% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.6; mp122-124 ℃; IR (ATR) 3422, 3224, 1685, 1658, 1583, 1243 cm-
1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.24-8.20 (m, 2H), 7.65-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.00 (br s, 1H), 5.97 (br
s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 186.0, 163.3, 132.6, 131.9, 131.8, 131.7, 131.5 130.3.
2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2l).13c 55 mg, 60% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.6; mp 129-131 ℃; IR (ATR) 3435, 3215, 1712, 1691, 1658, 1584,
1464, 1244 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.32-8.29 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.0 (br s,
1H), 5.89 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 185.8, 163.3, 141.3, 132.6, 131.3, 128.9.
2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2m).13c 61 mg, 73% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.5; mp 150-151℃; IR (ATR) 3455, 3202, 2923, 1718, 1671, 1579,
1501, 1228 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.23-8.18 (m, 2H), 8.01 (br s, 1H),
7.68 (br s, 1H), 7.24-7.18 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 187.5, 166.94 and
164.40 (d, J(C-F)= 254 Hz), 165.5, 132.9 and 132.8 (d, J(C-F)= 10 Hz), 129.4 and 129.3 (d, J(C-F)= 3
Hz), 115.4 and 115.2 (d, J(C-F)= 22 Hz).
2-(3-Fluorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2n). 50 mg, 60% yield; yellow wax; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc =
8:2) = 0.5; IR (ATR) 3414, 3207, 3076, 1707, 1678, 1588, 1490, 1456, 1258 cm-1; 1H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.15 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.05-8.02 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.32 (m,
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1H), 7.00 (br s, 1H), 6.02 (br s, 1H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 185.8, 163.70 and 161.24
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(d, J(C-F)= 246 Hz), 163.2, 134.8 and 134.7 (d, J(C-F)= 6 Hz), 130.3 and 130.2 (d, J(C-F)= 7 Hz),
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127.1 and 127.0 (d, J(C-F)= 3 Hz), 121.7 and 121.5 (d, J(C-F)= 22 Hz), 117.9 and 117.6 (d, J(C-F)
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+
23 Hz); HRMS (ESI, TOF) calcd for C8H6FNO2 , [M]+ 167.0383, found 167.0360.
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2-(2-Fluorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2o). 42.1 mg, 51% yield; yellow wax; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc
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= 8:2) = 0.5; IR (ATR) 3426, 3259, 3170, 1720, 1675, 1611, 1592, 1485, 1458, 1278 cm-1; H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.92-7.88 (m, 1H), 7.62-7.56 (m, 1H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.19-7.14
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(m, 1H), 6.82 (br s, 1H), 6.06 (br s, 1H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 187.4, 163.3, 163.21
and 160.64 (d, J(C-F)= 257 Hz), 135.5 and 135.4 (d, J(C-F)= 9 Hz), 131.9 and 131.9 (d, J(C-F)= 1
Hz), 124.2 and 124.2 (d, J(C-F)= 4 Hz), 122.6 and 122.4 (d, J(C-F)= 12 Hz), 116.7 and 116.5 (d, J(C-
+
F)= 21 Hz); HRMS (ESI, TOF) calcd for C8H6FNNaO2 , [M+Na]+ 190.0275, found 190.0246.
2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (2p).13c 35 mg, 32% yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 8:2) = 0.6; mp186-187 ℃; IR (ATR) 3454, 3212, 2923, 1709, 1669, 1576,
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1465, 1375, 1220 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.23 (s, 1H), 8.21 (br s, 1H),
8.06-8.01(m, 1H), 7.94 (br s, 1H), 7.71(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-
d6+CDCl3) δ 186.9, 164.9, 137.5, 132.8, 132.0, 131.5, 130.7, 129.4.
2-Oxo-2-(thiophen-2-yl)acetamide (2q).13c 34.8 mg, 46% yield; brown solid; Rf(Hexanes/EtOAc
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= 8:2) = 0.5; mp 82-84 ℃; IR (ATR) 3447, 3330, 2853, 1708, 1648, 1578, 1500, 1244 cm-1; H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.41-8.40 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.18
(br s, 1H), 5.96 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 178.0, 162.8, 138.6, 138.2, 136.7,
128.3.
2-(1-Benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2r).13c 77.1 mg, 56 % yield; brown solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 7:3) = 0.6; mp 182-184 ℃; IR (ATR) 3454, 3320, 2923, 1690, 1626, 1514,
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1392, 1355, 1172 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 8.93 (s, 1H), 8.30-8.28 (m,
1H), 7.98 (br s, 1H), 7.67 (br s, 1H), 7.52-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.34-7.22 (m, 7H), 5.55 (s, 2H); 13C
NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 182.0, 165.4, 140.9, 136.4, 136.1, 128.5, 128.4, 127.6,
127.1, 127.0, 126.7, 123.3, 122.7, 121.6, 111.4, 111.1, 49.9.
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2-(1-Methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2s).13c 59.0 mg, 58 % yield; yellow solid; Rf
(Hexanes/EtOAc = 7:3) = 0.6; mp179-181 ℃; IR (ATR) 3369, 3186, 2926, 1705, 1625, 1593,
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1517, 1463, 1346, 1205, 1124 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.89 (s, 1H), 8.44-8.40 (m,
1H), 7.40-7.33 (m, 4H), 5.65(br s, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 179.3,
164.8, 142.0, 137.0, 127.6, 123.9, 123.5, 122.6, 111.7, 109.9, 33.7.
2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetamide (2t).13c 48.7 mg, 52 % yield; brown solid; Rf (Hexanes/EtOAc
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= 7:3) = 0.5; mp 249-251 ℃; IR (ATR) 3253, 2923, 1686, 1620, 1579, 1494, 1458 cm-1; H
NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 12.10 (br s, 1H), 8.72 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.26-8.24 (m,
1H), 7.94 (br s, 1H), 7.62 (br s, 1H), 7.51-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.26-7.20 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz,
DMSO-d6+CDCl3) δ 182.3, 165.6, 138.0, 136.1, 126.2, 123.1, 122.2, 121.2, 112.2, 112.0.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT
Supporting Information
The Supporting Information is available free of charge on the ACS Publications website.
1
1
Experimental procedure, characterization data and H NMR for starting materials, H NMR and
13C NMR for all the products, EPR analysis, and by-product monitoring results (PDF).
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author
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*E-mail:amitkt@iitp.ac.in or amitktiitk@gmail.com
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Notes
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The authors declare no competing financial interest.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by CSIR (02(0229)/15/EMR-II), New Delhi and Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Patna. Y. K. and M. S. thank IIT Patna for an Institute Research Fellowship.
The authors also acknowledge SAIF-Panjab University for providing analytical facilities. The
authors also express sincere thanks to Dr. C. S. Purohit, NISER-Bhubaneswar for his timely help
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for providing HNMR facility. This work is dedicated to Prof. R. R. Schmidt (University of
Konstanz-Germany) on his 80th birthday.
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