Et4NI-catalyzed amidation of aldehydes and alcohols with ammonium salts.

An efficient method for the oxidative amidation of benzylic aldehydes or alcohols with ammonium salts has been developed for the synthesis of primary amides using Et4NI as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. This amidation reaction is operationally straightforward and provides primary amides in moderate to good yields under mild conditions.