Expedient one-pot synthesis of N-aryliminoethers via mild electrophilic activation of secondary amides

Abstract  

The direct transformation of various secondary amides into N-aryliminoethers via mild electrophilic activation with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of 2-chloropyridine is described. Low temperature amide activation followed by warming to 0 °C and subsequent treatment with phenols provides the desired products with short overall reaction times and moderate to high reaction yields.