Aryl Borane as a Catalyst for Dehydrative Amide Synthesis

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane B(C6F5)3·H2O is reported as a catalyst for dehydrative
amidation of carboxylic acids and amines. This protocol is applicable
across a wide range of >35 substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic
amines and acids, resulting in amides in ≤92% yields. The scalability
of the reaction up to 10 mmol, along with the synthesis of drugs such
as ibuprofen amide, moclobemide, and phenacetin, demonstrates the
industrial potential of our protocol.