InX3-catalyzed haloamidation of vinyl arenes: a facile synthesis of α-bromo- and α-fluoroamides

A variety of alkenes are converted into the corresponding α-fluoroamides in high yields by selectfluorTM in the presence of 10 mol % of InF3 in nitrile solution. α-Bromoamides are obtained with NBS in the presence of 10 mol % InBr3 under similar conditions. The use of Lewis acid in haloamidation significantly improved the yields and reaction rates.