I2-Catalyzed Oxidative Acylation of Tertiary Amines via C–N Bond Cleavage

Abstract The development of catalysts for the amidation of tertiary amines with acyl chlorides through oxidative C–N bond cleavage is rather challenging. By employing iodine as the catalyst, a broad range of aromatic acyl chlorides and tertiary amines are efficiently converted into amides in good yields under mild conditions. A plausible mechanistic pathway is proposed for this transformation and is supported by appropriate control experiments.