Nickel-Catalyzed Deaminative Acylation of Activated Aliphatic Amines with Aromatic Amides via C–N Bond Activation

Deaminative functionalization of aliphatic primary amines has great synthetic utility. Herein, we describe a Ni-catalyzed reductive deaminative cross-electrophile coupling reaction between Katritzky salts and aromatic amides. This work provides examples of the synthesis of various ketones from alkylpyridinium salts, including both primary and secondary alkylamines. Given its mild reaction conditions and high functional group tolerance, this cross-coupling strategy is expected to be useful for late-stage functionalization of complex compounds.