Synthesis Of Azomethines From Alpha-Oxocarboxylates, Amines And Aryl Bromides Via One-Pot Three-Component Decarboxylative Coupling

A bimetallic palladium/copper catalyst system allows the highly modular synthesis of azomethines via the decarboxylative coupling of aryl halides and alpha-iminocarboxylates, generated in situ from potassium alpha-oxocarboxylates and primary amines. The reaction proceeds already at 100 degrees C, a new record for redox-neutral decarboxylative crosscoupling reactions.