Copper-catalyzed N-methylation of amides and O-methylation of carboxylic acids by using peroxides as the methylating reagents.

The copper-catalyzed N-methylation of amides and O-methylation of carboxylic acids by using peroxides as the methylating reagent are described. Various amides and carboxylic acids were methylated affording N-substituted amides and esters. Tentative mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction is likely to involve a radical process.