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Updated: May 27, 2026
06:46
Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Direct amide formation from unactivated carboxylic acids and amines
C Liana Allen1, A Rosie Chhatwal, Jonathan M J Williams
1Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|November 29, 2011
Summary
Directly coupling carboxylic acids and amines to form amides is now possible without catalysts. Simple zirconium catalysts accelerate this amide formation reaction significantly, reducing reaction times to just 4 hours.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Amide bond formation is crucial in synthesizing pharmaceuticals and materials.
- Direct coupling of unactivated carboxylic acids and amines typically requires harsh conditions or activating agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a catalyst-free and catalyzed method for direct amide synthesis.
- To investigate the efficiency of zirconium catalysts in accelerating amide formation.
Main Methods:
- Direct coupling reactions were performed in toluene at 110 °C.
- Zirconium catalysts were employed at 5 mol% loading.
Main Results:
- Amide formation was achieved in the absence of any catalyst under the specified conditions.
- The addition of simple zirconium catalysts reduced the reaction time to as little as 4 hours.
Conclusions:
- Direct amide synthesis from unactivated carboxylic acids and amines is feasible without catalysts.
- Zirconium catalysts offer a highly efficient route to accelerate amide formation, enabling rapid synthesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Preparation of Amides
Amides are synthesized by treating carboxylic acids with amines in the presence of dehydrating agents like dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC).
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
01:19Amines to Amides: Acylation of Amines
Various carboxylic acid derivatives (such as acid chlorides, esters, and anhydrides) can be used for the acylation of amines to yield amides. The reaction requires two equivalents of amines. The first amine molecule functions as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl carbon to produce a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the loss of the leaving group and restoration of the C=O bond.
Next, the second equivalent of amine serves as a Brønsted base and deprotonates the quaternary amide...
Next, the second equivalent of amine serves as a Brønsted base and deprotonates the quaternary amide...
01:28Amides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
Amides can undergo either acid-catalyzed hydrolysis or base-promoted hydrolysis through a typical nucleophilic acyl substitution. Each hydrolysis requires severe conditions.
Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis:
Hydrolysis of amides under acidic conditions yields carboxylic acids. Since the reaction occurs slowly, hydrolysis requires the conditions of heat.
The mechanism begins with the protonation of the carbonyl oxygen by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the amide carbonyl carbon more...
Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis:
Hydrolysis of amides under acidic conditions yields carboxylic acids. Since the reaction occurs slowly, hydrolysis requires the conditions of heat.
The mechanism begins with the protonation of the carbonyl oxygen by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the amide carbonyl carbon more...
01:23Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine Formation Mechanism
Imine formation involves the addition of carbonyl compounds to a primary amine. It begins with the generation of carbinolamine through a series of steps involving an initial nucleophilic attack and then several proton transfer reactions. The second part includes the elimination of water, as a leaving group, to give the imine.
Imines are formed under mildly acidic conditions. A pH of 4.5 is ideal for the reaction.
If the pH is low or the solution is too acidic, the reaction slows down in the...
Imines are formed under mildly acidic conditions. A pH of 4.5 is ideal for the reaction.
If the pH is low or the solution is too acidic, the reaction slows down in the...
01:16Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine and Enamine Formation Overview
Primary amines react with carbonyl compounds—aldehydes and ketones—to generate imines. Imines consist of a C=N double bond and are named Schiff bases after its discoverer—the German chemist Hugo Schiff. On the other hand, secondary amines react with carbonyl compounds to give enamines. In enamines, the presence of a C=C double bond adjacent to the nitrogen atom leads to the delocalization of the lone pair.
01:14Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Enamine Formation Mechanism
Enamine formation involves the addition of carbonyl compounds to a secondary amine through a series of reactions. The mechanism begins with the generation of carbinolamine, a nucleophilic attack followed by several proton transfer reactions. The hydroxyl group of the carbinolamine is converted into water to make a better leaving group that can push the reaction forward by eliminating a water molecule. In enamine formation, the last step involves the abstraction of a proton from the α carbon to...