A general copper-catalyzed synthesis of Ynamides from 1,2-dichloroenamides

Ynamides are accessed via copper-catalyzed coupling of Grignard or organozinc nucleophiles with chloroynamides, formed in situ from 1,2-dichloroenamides. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope, is readily scaled, and overcomes typical limitations in ynamide synthesis such as the use of ureas, carbamates, and bulky or aromatic amide derivatives. This modular approach contrasts with previous routes by installing both the N- and C-substituents of the ynamide as nucleophilic components.