Copper‐Catalyzed Substrate‐Controlled Carbonylative Synthesis of α‐Keto Amides and Amides from Alkyl Halides.

Controllable production of α‐keto amides and amides from the same substrates is an attractive goal in the field of transition‐metal‐catalyzed (double‐)carbonylation. Herein, a novel copper‐catalyzed highly selective double carbonylation of alkyl bromides has been developed. Moderate to good yields of α‐keto amides were obtained as the only products. In the case of alkyl iodides, double‐ and mono‐carbonylation can be achieved controllably under different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]