An Effective Amide Synthesis Using Boronic Acid–DMAPO Cooperative Catalysis

Ishihara and Lu have reported a new effective amide synthesis from carboxylic acids and amines using a novel arylboronic acid–DMAPO (4-(dimethylamino)pyridine N-oxide) cooperative catalysis. Although the condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and amines is an ideal method for the synthesis of amides, the substrate scope is limited and in some cases affords by-products. In this report, arylboronic acids such as 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid and DMAPO are used as cooperative catalysts for the dehydrative condensation reaction. This catalytic system is effective for the amidation reaction of less reactive carboxylic acids, and the amidation reaction of conjugated carboxylic acids can proceed chemoselectively to produce the corresponding conjugated amides.