Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of -Keto Amides from Sulfoxonium Ylides

Wehere described a method to synthesize alpha-keto amides fromsimple sulfoxonium ylides and secondary amines under the catalysisof copper. This transformation involved a very simple and clean catalyticsystem, and the substrates could be extended to aryl, heteroaryl,and tert-butyl sulfoxonium ylides to give diversified alpha-keto amides with good yields. Additionally, the mechanisticstudies indicated that the alpha-carbonyl aldehyde might be a keyintermediate in the reaction system.