Dealkoxylation of N-alkoxyamides without an external reductant driven by Pd/Al cooperative catalysis.

Lewis acid-assisted palladium-catalysed dealkoxylation of N-alkoxyamides has been developed. This reaction proceeded smoothly with a range of N-alkoxyamides in the absence of an external reductant, thereby establishing a convenient and reductant-free protocol. In addition, a gram-scale reaction could be achieved. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicated that ß-hydrogen elimination from a palladium alkoxide intermediate generated an intramolecular hydride source.