High-yielding synthesis of Weinreb amides via homogeneous catalytic carbonylation of iodoalkenes and iodoarenes

Iodoarenes (iodobenzene and 2-iodothiophene) and iodoalkenes (1-iodocyclohexene, 1-iodo-4-tert-butylcyclohexene, 1-iodo-2-methylcyclohexene and 1-iodo-1-(1-naphthyl)ethene) were used as substrates in palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine. The corresponding Weinreb amides were prepared in high isolated yields (up to 87%) when forcing conditions (40–60 bar of CO, 50 °C) were used. The aminocarbonylation provides the Weinreb amides as pure products in a chemoselective reaction. No formation of ketocarboxamides, due to double CO insertion, except for 2-iodothiophene, was observed even at 60 bar of CO pressure.