Metal-free electrochemical synthesis of α-ketoamides via decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with isocyanides and water

A mild and environmentally benign electrochemical strategy has been developed for the synthesis of alpha-ketoamides via a decarboxylative coupling reaction of alpha-keto acids with isocyanides and water. The present reaction was efficiently conducted under constant current electrolysis using n-Bu4NI as the electrolyte in an undivided cell. A series of alpha-ketoamides could be conveniently and rapidly constructed at room temperature in the absence of transition metal catalysts and external oxidants. Mechanistic studies suggested that water not only served as a starting material to construct alpha-ketoamides, but also played an important role in promoting the electrochemical redox of alpha-keto acids.