Copper‐Catalyzed C−N Bond Formation via Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Amines with α‐Aminocarbonyl Compounds

A novel and selective method for the simple copper‐catalyzed α‐amination of α‐aminocarbonyl compounds to afford 2‐amino‐2‐iminocarbonyl and 2‐amino‐2‐oxocarbonyl compounds is reported. This transformation is achieved by C(sp³)−H and N−H bond oxidative cross‐coupling and selective C−N bond oxidative cleavage. This reaction system has a broad reaction scope, providing a facile pathway for the α‐functionalization of α‐amino ketones.