Copper-catalyzed amidation of benzoic acids using tetraalkylthiuram disulfides as amine sources

A facile method for the copper-catalyzed synthesis of N-substituted benzamides was explored. In the presence of CuBr and di-tert-butyl peroxide, various N-substituted benzamides were prepared through amidation of benzoic acid by using commercially available and cheap tetraalkylthiuram disulfides as amine sources. With this protocol, a series of 14 N-substituted benzamides were furnished in good to excellent yields. The broad substrate scope and good to excellent yield show its practical synthetic value in organic synthesis.