Palladium-Catalyzed β-Mesylation of Simple Amide via Primary sp3 C-H Activation.

A β-mesylation of primary sp3 C-H bonds from simple amides with methanesulfonic anhydride (Ms2O) has been established successfully at 80 °C in a Pd(OAc)2 (catalyst)/K2S2O8 (oxidant)/CF3CH2OH (solvent) system. These amide substrates involve N-monosubstituted linear, branch, or cyclic alkanes, and electron-deficient benzyl compounds. The β-mesylated amide products can be converted easily to β-fluoroamides or β-lactams through inter- or intramolecular SN2 processes.