Copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides and tert-butyl β-keto esters: efficient access to α-aryl ketones and α-arylacetic acid tert-butyl esters

CuI/trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides with tert-butyl β-keto esters proceeded smoothly at 40 °C in DMF, providing α-aryl ketones after acid-promoted deprotection and decarboxylation of tert-butyl ester group. While CuI/2-picolinic acid catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides with tert-butyl acetoacetate at 70 °C in dioxane delivered α-arylacetic acid tert-butyl esters upon spontaneous deacylation. A wide range of functional groups, such as acetyl, methoxy, nitrile, nitro, bromo, and chloro were compatible with the reaction conditions.