TfOH-Catalyzed Facile Access for One-Pot Synthesis of β-Acylamino Ketones by Avoiding the Usage of Acetyl Chloride

Abstract We have developed a TfOH-catalyzed, highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of biologically active β-acylamino ketones from aldehyde, ketone, and nitrile by avoiding the use of acetyl chloride. The reaction proceeds through a sequential aldol reaction followed by a nucleophilic attack of nitrile and hydrolysis of nitrile in one pot. The attractive features of this tandem process are mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, broad substrate scope with 51–87% yield, gram-scale reaction, and ease of operation.