Direct Synthesis of α-Methylated Arylacetamides from Arylacetonitriles via Ir-Catalyzed Cascade α-Methylation and Selective Hydration.

A strategy for the direct synthesis of α-methylated arylacetamides from arylacetonitriles via a cascade α-methylation with methanol and the selective hydration with an aldoxime as a water source was proposed and accomplished. In the presence of [Cp*Ir(6,6'-(OH)2dpa)Cl][Cl], desirable products were obtained in high yields. Furthermore, mechanistic experiments, DFT calculations, the practical application of this strategy, and the expansion of this catalytic system to other alcohols are also presented.