Iron-catalyzed N-arylations of Amides

A method was proposed for iron-catalyzed N-arylation of primary amides and its applicability to the synthesis of N-heterocycles by intramolecular ring closures. The method used a catalyst system of 10 mol % of FeCl3 and 20 mol % of N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine (DMEDA). The study found that secondary amides of N-methylbenzamide and N-benzylbenzamide produce N-arylated products in trace amounts. The method developed an iron-based catalyst system for efficient N-arylations of primary amides with aryl iodides. The study used a sealable tube equipped with a magnetic stir bar charged with amide, or K 3PO4, or K2CO3, or FeCl3. The study used NMR spectroscopic analysis to determine the identity and purity of the products. The method observed that different substituted aryl iodides made a positive impact on the reaction.