Copper-Catalyzed Annulation of Oxime Acetates with α-Amino Acid Ester Derivatives: Synthesis of 3-Sulfonamido/Imino 4-Pyrrolin-2-ones.

A copper-catalyzed annulation of oxime acetates and α-amino acid ester derivatives for the easy preparation of 4-pyrrolin-2-ones bearing a 3-amino group has been developed. This process features the oxidation of amines with oxime esters as the internal oxidant to produce the active 1,3-dinucleophilic and 1,2-dielectrophilic species concurrently. The subsequent nucleophilic cyclization realizes the efficient construction of 4-pyrrolin-2-one derivatives.