Microwave-assisted heteropolyanion-based ionic liquids catalyzed transamidation of non-activated carboxamides with amines under solvent-free conditions

An environmentally benign and highly efficient protocol for the transamidation of non-activated carboxamides with amines using heteropolyanion-based ionic liquids as catalysts under microwave-assisted and solvent-free conditions has been developed. As evaluated by the reactions of a structurally diverse set of amides and amines, the scope and utility of the transamidation proved to be quite general. Operational simplicity, solvent-free media, the potential reusability of catalysts and wide functional group tolerance are attractive features. This method provides a much improved protocol over the existing methods. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.