Cu-Catalyzed Synthesis of Esters from Ketones

Significance

This reaction represents an interesting and rather unusual example of the catalytic cleavage of a carbon-carbon single bond by a transition-metal complex. Isopropyl ketones are the most suitable substrates for this reaction. The method can be readily applied to heterocyclic ketones. As an isobutyryl group can be introduced by a direct acylation, this sequence is a useful method for a straightforward preparation of aryl and hetaryl carboxylates. This oxidation method is complementary to the Bayer-Williger reaction, which gives phenol esters from aryl ketones.