1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin mediated oxidative amidation of terminal alkenes in water.

A variety of terminal alkenes were converted to the corresponding amides in yields of 25 to 86% in water via treatment with 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, followed by reaction with molecular iodine and aq. NH3 (or amine) in one pot. This metal- and organic solvent-free protocol is not only suitable for styrene derivatives, but also, for the first time, works well on terminal aliphatic alkenes.