Synthesis of Diaryl Ketones through Oxidative Cleavage of the C–C Double Bonds in N-Sulfonyl Enamides

An oxidative cleavage of a C-C double bond is developed from the photochemical [2+2]-cycloaddition of diaryl N-tosyl enamides, aryl heteroaryl N-tosyl enamides, and N-tosyl cyclic enamides with singlet molecular oxygen, followed by a ring-opening reaction mediated by Cs₂CO₃ under air and sunlight without the use of photosesitizer, producing symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl, heterodiaryl, and cyclic ketones in good to excellent yields. Moreover, the oxidative cleavage of C-C triple bonds from 1-alkynes is demonstrated for the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical ketones from the Cu-catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition, Rh-catalyzed alkoxyarylation, photooxygenation, and ring-opening reaction in one-pot. Because the synthesis of the symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl and/or heterodiaryl ketones bearing an electron-donating group is not easy, the present method is notable.