The catalytic nitrile hydration (amide formation) in a copper iodide/cesium carbonate/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene/nitromethane–water system is described. The protocol is robust and reliable; it can be applied to a broad range of substrates with high chemoselectivity.
Key words
catalysis - copper iodide - nitrile hydration - nitromethane–water - primary amides