Fig. 3: Scope of α-carbonyl alkyl bromides[a].

[a] Unless otherwise specified, the reactions were performed in the presence of 1 (0.2 mmol), 2a (2.0 equiv.), CuI (20 mol%), 1,10-phen (30 mol%), K2CO3 (2.0 equiv.), H2O (5.0 equiv.) and DMSO (1.0 mL) under N2 at 110 °C for 1 h. [b] 62% of 1s was recovered and 11% of 3s’ (1,3-dimethyl-4-pivaloylquinolin-2(1H)-one) was obtained.