Synthesis of primary amides via copper-catalyzed aerobic decarboxylative ammoxidation of phenylacetic acids and α-hydroxyphenylacetic acids with ammonia in water.

A Cu2O-catalyzed aerobic oxidative decarboxylative ammoxidation to primary benzamides from phenylacetic acids and α-hydroxyphenylacetic acids is developed. A variety of primary benzamides could be prepared smoothly, in good to excellent yields, by means of a one-pot domino protocol combining decarboxylation, dioxygen activation, oxidative C-H bond functionalization, and amidation reactions.