Metal-Free α-Hydroxylation of α-Unsubstituted β-Oxoesters and β-Oxoamides

A direct metal-free α-hydroxylation of α-unsubstituted β-oxoesters and β-oxoamides was developed using m-chloroperbenzoic acid as the oxidant. This transformation enabled straightforward metal-free access to important α-hydroxy-β-dicarbonyl moieties under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the hydroxylated products were readily converted into vicinal tricarbonyl compounds, which are useful synthetic precursors of numerous biological targets.