Copper-Catalyzed Unstrained C-C Single Bond Cleavage of Acyclic Oxime Acetates Using Air: An Internal Oxidant-Triggered Strategy toward Nitriles and Ketones.

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-C single bond cleavage of acyclic unstrained oxime acetates is reported, providing various aryl nitriles and ketones in good yields. Mechanistic studies indicate a radical procedure is involved in this transformation, and the oxygen atom in the ketone products is originated from O2 in the air. Oxime acetates as an internal oxidant have been proved to be an initiator, which may promote the discovery of novel protocol for C-C bond cleavage and dioxygen activation.