Generation of bis-acyl ketals from esters and benzyl amines under oxidative conditions

Abstract

Treatment of benzylamines with esters at an elevated temperature are expected to give amides. However, in the presence of TBAI/TBHP, esters possessing a methylene carbon α-to oxygen with benzylamines provide bis-esters rather than the expected amides. Benzylamines under oxidative conditions generate less nucleophilic carboxylates, which couples at the sp³ C–H bonds of esters and cyclic ethers to give bis-acyl ketals and α-acyloxy ethers, respectively.