Gold-catalyzed 1,2-oxoarylations of nitriles with pyridine-derived oxides

Abstract

We report the first success in the gold-catalyzed oxoarylations of nitriles with pyridine-derived N-oxides using gold carbenes as initiators. These oxoarylations were also achieved satisfactorily in intermolecular three-component oxidations, including diverse alkenyldiazo esters, nitriles, and pyridine-based oxides. Spill the (car)benes: Reported herein is the first successful gold-catalyzed oxoarylation of nitriles with pyridine-derived N-oxides using gold carbenes as initiators (see scheme; DCE=1,2-dichloroethane, IPr=1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). These oxoarylations were also achieved satisfactorily in intermolecular three-component oxidations using a variety of alkenyldiazo esters, nitriles, and pyridine-based N-oxides. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.