Mild and efficient Pd(PtBu3)2‐catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl halides to aryl amides with high selectivity

This work describes a mild and efficient approach for the synthesis of aryl amides via catalytic aminocarbonylation of aryl halides with alicyclic amines using a Pd(P^t Bu₃)₂/NH₄Cl catalyst system. Under mild reaction temperature of 60°C and balloon pressure of CO, 5 mol% Pd(P^t Bu₃)₂ with a cheap NH₄Cl promoter is sufficient for high yields of aryl amides. The influence of reaction parameters such as reaction temperature, ligand type and promoter on catalytic activity was investigated. This work also discusses the catalytic intermediates in detail, and provides a plausible mechanism based on an acid chloride intermediate.