Catalytic Oxidative Carbene Coupling of α-Diazo Carbonyls for the Synthesis of β-Amino Ketones via C(sp³)-H Functionalization

A catalytic domino oxidative carbene coupling (OCC) of α-diazo carbonyls has been established by treatment with N,N-dimethylanilines and carboxylic acids (or N-methylaniline) via direct C(sp³)-H functionalization under convenient conditions. The reaction pathway is proposed to proceed through the sequence of carbene formation, enolization, and nucleophilic addition. The reaction enables de-diazotized carbo-oxygenation and carbo-amination of α-diazo carbonyls and provides practical access to α-(acyloxy)-β-amino ketones and α,β-diamino ketones.