Amide synthesis by nucleophilic attack of vinyl azides

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of amide-containing molecules was developed using vinyl azides as an enamine-type nucleophile towards carbon electrophiles, such as imines, aldehydes, and carbocations that were generated from alcohols in the presence of BF3⋅OEt2. After nucleophilic attack of the vinyl azide, a substituent of the resulting iminodiazonium ion intermediate migrates to form a nitrilium ion, which is hydrolyzed to afford the corresponding amide.