Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed and Dimethyl Sulfoxide‐Involved Cross‐Coupling of Ketones and Amides for Direct Synthesis of β ‐Amino Ketones

A straightforward synthesis of β ‐amino ketones has been realized by employing ketones and amides as the substrates via cobalt(III)‐catalyzed and dimethyl sulfoxide‐involved cross‐coupling reaction. Experimental investigations revealed that the β ‐methylsulfide ketone species might be involved as the active intermediate. Diverse ketones ( e. g . acetophenone and its derivatives, heteroaryl methyl ketones and dibenzoylmethane) and amides (e. g. aromatic, aliphaticand cyclicamides) with various substitution patterns were found to be applicable to this transformation, demonstrating a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance.