Copper‐Mediated Difunctionalization of Alkenylboronic Acids: Synthesis of ɑ‐Imino Ketones

Abstract

Various A-imino ketones were prepared in good yields through a copper-mediated difunctionalization of alkenylboronic acids with benzotriazolamine in air. Mechanistic studies showed that A-imino ketones formation occurred through an initial copper-mediated coupling reaction to form an enamine, followed by homolysis of the CÀCu bond to produce an A-radical imine, and finally radical oxidation by air. The A-imino ketones were easily converted to various useful scaffolds through further transformations.