Copper catalyzed expeditious synthesis of α-ketoamides: a review of synthesis and mechanism of reactions

The α-ketoamides are essential building blocks for the synthesis of β-lactams and oxazolidinones. As it contains multiple reactive centers, it could be a suitable starting material for following reactions such as Michael addition reaction, Pictet–Spengler reaction, Mannich, Stetter reaction etc. There are many US FDA approved drug molecules which bear α-ketoamide moieties, such as boceprevir, telaprevir, fostemsavir, varespladib etc. Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-ketoamides from aryl methyl ketones, aryl acetic acids, alkynes, aryl acetaldehydes, α-keto acids, α-azido ketones, and 1,3-diketo compounds have been reported. This review describes the research articles (since the year 2012) related copper-catalyzed α-ketoamides synthesis and mechanism of those reactions.