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Updated: May 31, 2025

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Published on: June 20, 2014
Rapid Synthesis of Primary Amides Using Ammonia Borane
Xiao-Yun Li1, Jia-Xin Kang2, Hui Han1
1College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Abstract:
We report the rapid synthesis of primary amides by directly using commercially available ammonia borane (NH3·BH3), sodium hexamethyldisilazide (NaHMDS), and esters. The success of this protocol relies on NH3·BH3 as the nitrogen source being considerably more convenient and NaHMDS being an excellent proton abstractor but not participating in the nucleophilic addition reaction. The reaction had a wide substrate scope containing bioactive molecules, and most of the substrates were efficiently amidated over 90% yields.
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