Efficient synthesis of primary and secondary amides via reacting esters with alkali metal amidoboranes

Abstract

Amides are important organic compounds that are widely applied in medicine, biochemistry, and materials science. Here, the authors report a method for synthesis of primary and secondary amides through a direct amidation of esters with sodium amidoboranes (NaNHRBH3, R = H, Me), at room temperature without the use of catalysts.