One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Aminobenzophenones from 2-Alkynyl Arylazides Catalyzed by Pd and Cu Precursors

We describe a novel one-pot three-step reaction of 2-alkynyl arylazides through palladium-catalyzed formation of 3-hydroxy-3-phenylindolin-2-ones followed by hydrolysis of amide bonds and copper-catalyzed decarboxylation to give 2-aminobenzophenones. This synthetic method works well with various 2-alkynyl arylazides and affords the products in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions.