NHC-Catalyzed Redox Amidation of α-Hydroxyenones

Significance

Bode and colleagues report a catalytic redox amidation of α-hydroxyenones 1, which are used as surrogates of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Triazolium precatalyst 2, 1,2,4-triazole cocatalyst and catalytic Hünig’s base were found to promote this reaction. α-Hydroxyenones 1 bearing aromatic and heteroaromatic substituents could be used in combination with different primary and secondary amines affording the amide products in good to excellent yields. When amino alcohols in the presence of the 1,2,4-triazole cocatalyst were used, the amidation product was formed chemoselectively.