Synthesis of aryl acetamides by aminocarbonylation of benzylic chlorides using carbamoylsilane as an amide source

Using N-methyl-N-(1-phenyl)ethylcarbamoyl(trimethyl)silane as an amide source, the direct transformation of benzylic chlorides into the corresponding aryl acetamides through palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation is described. The electronic property and the relative position of substituents on the aromatic ring impact the coupling efficiency.