Sequential Multicomponent Synthesis of α-Ketoimides, from Acyl Chlorides, Isocyanides, and Silver Salts of Carboxylic Acids.

The sequential three component reaction of acyl chlorides, isocyanides, and silver carboxylates affords moderately stable keto-iminoanhydrides which spontaneously undergo a Mumm rearrangement to produce the target α-ketoimides (IX) and (XI).