α-Amidoaldehydes as Substrates in Rhodium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Alkyne Hydroacylation: The Synthesis of α-Amidoketones.

We show that readily available α-amidoaldehydes are effective substrates for intermolecular Rh-catalyzed alkyne hydroacylation reactions. The catalyst [Rh(dppe)(C6 H5 F)][BArF 4 ] provides good reactivity, and allows a broad range of aldehydes and alkynes to be used as substrates, delivering α-amidoketone products. High yields and high levels of regioselectivity are achieved. The use of α-amidoaldehydes as substrates establishes that 1,4-dicarbonyl motifs can be used as controlling groups in Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation reactions.