Hypoiodite‐Catalyzed Oxidative α‐C−N Coupling of Ketones with Imides and Azoles

Abstract Herein, we report a direct method for the synthesis of α‐imidoketones and α‐azolylketones via hypoiodite‐catalyzed oxidative α‐C−N coupling of ketones with the corresponding imides and azoles, respectively. The use of inorganic base additives such as cesium carbonate in the presence of 18‐crown‐6 as a phase transfer catalyst was crucial to induce high reactivity. Control experiments revealed that the basic additives might not only facilitate high‐turnover hypoiodite catalysis, but also be involved in the activation of coupling partners.