Abstract

The formation of amides and esters often necessitates powerful, yet mild reagent systems. New atom-economical and practical methods that achieve such goals are highly desirable. To this end, several direct oxidative methods are presented from atypical substrates. For example, amides and esters can be prepared from primary nitroalkanes or 1,1-dicyanoalkanes simply by using carbonate bases under O2 with or without I2, respectively. Such oxidative protocols can be applied to both sterically and electronically challenging substrates in a highly chemoselective, practical, and rapid manner. Unexpected, atypical mechanisms will be proposed and presented.