Synthesis of 2-ynamides by direct palladium-catalyzed oxidative aminocarbonylation of alk-1-ynes

A novel synthesis of 2-ynamides (3) by palladium-catalyzed oxidative aminocarbonylation of alk-1-ynes (1) is reported. Reactions are catalyzed by PdI2/KI and are carried out at 100°C in dioxane as the solvent in the presence of dialkylamines (2) as nucleophiles (amine/alk-1-yne molar ratio=1/1) using a 4/1 CO/air mixture (20 atm total pressure at 25°C).