Unprecedented 1,1′-Carbonyldiimidazole-Mediated Amidation of Unprotected α-Amino Acids in Water

The first amidation reaction of unprotected α-amino ­acids in water under neutral conditions with various aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic amines in the presence of coupling reagent 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole at ambient temperature is described.