A nonmetal approach to α-heterofunctionalized carbonyl derivatives by formal reductive X-H insertion.

Keeping it organic: A direct synthesis of α-alkoxy and α-amino ester derivatives by direct reductive coupling of widely available, stable α-keto esters and protic pronucleophiles is described (see scheme; X = OR, NR(2)). The method serves as a convenient nonmetal alternative to X-H insertion by diazo decomposition.