Oxidative amide synthesis directly from alcohols with amines

Transition metal catalyzed oxidative amide synthesis directly from primary alcohols and amines is a highly atom economical transformation that evolves hydrogen gas as the only by-product. Several Ru-, Rh-based homogeneous and Ag-based heterogeneous catalysts have been developed for direct amide synthesis. Most of the developed catalysts showed excellent activity with sterically unhindered alcohols and amines; however, limited activity was observed with sterically hindered alcohols or amines, less basic aryl amines, and secondary amines. This account provides an overview of recent advances and challenges in direct amide synthesis.