A Strategy for the Synthesis of Aryl α-Ketoamides Based upon the Acylation of Anions Derived from Cyanomethylamines Followed by Oxidative Cleavage

[reaction: see text] Cyanomethylamines, prepared by alkylation of amines with chloroacetonitrile, were deprotonated using NaHDMS in THF, reacted with heteroaryl or substitutedphenyl esters, and then oxidized by adding Clorox(TM) to afford aryl alpha-ketoamides in a single operation in good overall yields.