Tandem synthesis of amides and secondary amines from esters with primary amines under solvent-free conditions

Abstract

An iridium(III)-catalyzed tandem synthesis of amides and amines from esters under solvent-free conditions is described. A commercially available iridium(III) complex, [Cp*IrCl2]2, with sodium acetate showed the best activity for the synthesis of amides and secondary amines. The amide was formed by ester-amide exchange which generates an alcohol in situ which is subsequently transformed to a secondary amine via hydrogen autotransfer. This synthetic protocol with high atom economy generates water as the sole by-product and can afford amides and amines from various esters in a one-pot reaction, expanding the synthetic versatility of ester transformations. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.