Conversion of <i>N</i>-Acyl Amino Acids into Imides via Oxidative Decarboxylation Induced by Ag⁺/Cu²⁺/S₂O₈^2- in Water

Abstract

N-Acyl amino acids can be converted by oxidative decarboxylation induced by Ag+/Cu2+/S2O8 2- at room temperature in water into imides in 24-89% yields. Both N-benzoylvaline and N-benzoylleucine gave N-formylbenzamide, which possibly results from oxidative cleavage of an enamide intermediate.