General Synthesis of α-Alkyl Ynones from Morpholine Amides and 1-Copper(I) Alkynes Promoted by Triflic Anhydride

The first general method for the synthesis of α-alkyl ynones was developed based on the strategy of electrophilic activation of amides. Its distinctive advantages are attributed to the use of air-stable "bare" 1-copper(I) alkyne as a mild nucleophile without any exogeneous ligand.