Direct and Facile Synthesis of Primary Amides from Carboxylic Acids via Acyl Isocyanate Intermediates Using Mukaiyama Reagent

A very simple and efficient procedure for the preparation of primary amides is described from carboxylic acids using Mukaiyama reagent/KNCO in aqueous acetonitrile. Availability of the reagents, simplicity, and easy workup of the reaction crude make this method attractive for organic chemists. Keywords: 2-Chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide, acyl isocyanate, amide, carboxylic acid, mukaiyama reagent.