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  • Iridium-catalyzed selective α-alkylation of unactivated amides with primary alcohols.

Iridium-catalyzed selective α-alkylation of unactivated amides with primary alcohols.

Organic letters (2013-02-16)
Le Guo, Yinghua Liu, Wubing Yao, Xuebing Leng, Zheng Huang
ABSTRACT

The first α-alkylation of unactivated amides with primary alcohols is described. An effective and robust iridium pincer complex has been developed for selective α-alkylation of tertiary and secondary acetamides involving a "borrowing hydrogen" methodology. The method is compatible with alcohols bearing various functional groups. This presents a convenient and environmentally benign protocol for α-alkylation of amides.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, evaporation slug, diam. × L 0.6 cm × 1.2 cm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, black, powder, −200 mesh, ≥99% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, powder, 99.9% trace metals basis