A novel Pd-catalyzed N-dealkylative carbonylation of tertiary amines for the preparation of amides

A novel and convenient protocol for the formation of amides via palladium-catalyzed N-dealkylative carbonylation of alkyl tertiary amines has been developed. In the presence of PdCl2(PhCN)2, CuO, PhCN and CO, a range of substituents on both aryl iodides and alkyl tertiary amines were compatible with the reaction to afford a series of N,N-disubstituted amides in moderate to excellent yields.