Copper(i)-catalyzed N–H olefination of sulfonamides for N-sulfonyl enaminone synthesis

Abstract

This communication reports copper-catalyzed N–H olefination of sulfonamides for enaminone synthesis using saturated ketones as olefin sources. With TEMPO derivatives and O₂ as oxidants, this method provided an efficient way to produce various enaminones in good yields. Mechanistic studies helped figure out the stable intermediates and develop novel methodologies for the difunctionalization of saturated ketones.