Synthesis of Imidates: TFA-Mediated Regioselective Amide Alkylation Using Meerwein’s Reagent

Regioselective O-alkylation of an amide to form the corresponding imidate is a common synthetic problem, often resulting in varying amounts of N-alkylation. Screening existing methods for converting amides to imidates gave inconsistent or irreproducible results, sometimes affording N-alkylamide as the major product. A simple and reliable protocol for amide O-alkylation with complete regioselectivity has been designed, and its scope and efficiency demonstrated on a number of substrates.