Multicomponent approach to the synthesis of oxidized amides through nitrile hydrozirconation

Oxidized amides, as represented by acyl aminals and acyl hemiaminals, are integral subunits of several natural products that exhibit useful biological activity. In this paper a multicomponent approach to these groups from acylimine intermediates is demonstrated. The acylimines; are accessed through a sequence of nitrile hydrozirconation and acylation, making this highly versatile amide synthesis useful for a range of applications in target- and diversity-oriented synthesis.