Synthesis of oxime ethers under single electron oxidation induced by radical cation tris(aryl)aminium salts: O-alkylation of oximes with n-vinyl lactams

O-Alkylation of (E)- and (Z)-oxime was achieved via single electron oxidation of N-vinyl lactams by using a catalytic amount of tris(aryl)aminium salts as initiator, producing the corresponding oxime ethers in high yields under mild condition. A reaction mechanism based on electron transfer was proposed.