C–N Coupling of Amides with Alcohols Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbene–Phosphine Iridium Complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbene–phosphine iridium complexes (NHC–Ir) were developed/found to be a highly reactive catalyst for N-monoalkylation of amides with alcohols via hydrogen transfer. The reaction produced the desired product in high isolated yields using a wide range of substrates with low catalyst loading and short reaction times.