Direct Synthesis of Vicinal Tricarbonyl Amides by Coupling of α-Oxo Acid Chlorides with Carbamoylsilanes

A convenient synthetic method for vicinal tricarbonyl amides by the cross-coupling reaction of α-oxo acid chlorides with carbamoylsilanes is developed. The reaction tolerates a broad range of substituents on the amido nitrogen of carbamoylsilanes, and directly affords good yields of vicinal tricarbonyl amides under mild conditions without use of oxidants. The reaction of carbamoylsilanes with oxalyl chloride has also been explored, and is accompanied by decarbonylation to give vicinal tricarbonyl amides.