Metal-Free Oxidative C=C Bond Cleavage of Electron-Deficient Enamines Promoted by tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

A novel tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-promoted oxidative C=C double-bond cleavage of enamines is described. Heating a solution of an electron-deficient enamine in chlorobenzene at 80 °C in the presence of TBHP for two hours led to cleavage of the C=C bond. This study offers a new strategy to carry out C=O double-bond formation by the use of TBHP.