Cu(i)/{Nb6O19} catalyzed N-acylation of arylacetic acids with amines under aerobic conditions.

The method described herein is a general, efficient and green approach to synthesize α-ketoamides from arylacetic acids and amines. Employing a simple copper(i)/{Nb6O19} catalyst system, the reaction offers a facile process to give functionalized α-ketoamides from readily available arylacetic acids under aerobic conditions. The merit of this new strategy is that it expands the syntheses of α-ketoamides from stable, inexpensive and widely available acylation reagents such as arylacetic acids in one step.