Oxidative Amidation of Activated Alkenes Using Pd(OAc)2 as a Catalyst Precursor

A new chloride-free protocol was developed for oxidative amidation reactions between cyclic and acyclic amides and carbamates with activated olefins, conducted under Pd/Cu catalysis, using air as a terminal oxidant. The presence of TsOH is important for catalytic activity. The scope of the reaction includes the addition of primary amides, carbamates, as well as cyclic oxazolidinone and pyrrolidinone. The reactions are found to be sensitive to steric demand of the N-nucleophile, and E-selectivity can be achieved exclusively with cyclic N-nucleophiles. The products can be easily hydrogenated to afford the saturated product in high yields.