Alternative to Benzoquinone for Room-Temperature Fujiwara–Moritani Reactions

tert-Butyl perbenzoate is a substitute for benzoquinone for mild (room-temperature) Fujiwara–Moritani reactions between acetanilides and butyl acrylate under homogeneous conditions. The system was enhanced further by including Cu(OAc)₂ as a cocatalyst. Methyl methacrylate can be activated toward coupling under these conditions.