Synthesis of Diaryl Ketones through Oxidative Cleavage of the C–C Double Bonds in N-Sulfonyl Enamides

An oxidative cleavage of a C–C double bond is developed from the photochemical [2+2]-cycloaddition of diaryl N-tosyl enamides, aryl heteroaryl N-tosyl enamides, and N-tosyl cyclic enamides with singlet molecular oxygen, followed by a ring-opening reaction mediated by Cs2CO3 under air and sunlight without the use of photosesitizer, producing symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl, heterodiaryl, and cyclic ketones in good to excellent yields. Moreover, the oxidative cleavage of C–C triple bonds from 1-alkynes is demonstrated for the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical ketones from the Cu-catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition, Rh-catalyzed alkoxyarylation, photooxygenation, and ring-opening reaction in one-pot. Because the synthesis of the symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl and/or heterodiaryl ketones bearing an electron-donating group is not easy, the present method is notable.