Simple Synthesis of Amides and Weinreb Amides Using PPh3 or Polymer-Supported PPh3 and Iodine

The combination of PPh3/I-2 has been shown to be effective for the conversion of a range of carboxylic acids into secondary, tertiary, and Weinreb amides. Simplification of the procedure was possible with the use of polymer-supported PPh3/I-2. Weinreb amides produced with the use of polymer-supported PPh3 could be filtered through a short silica gel plug and used in further transformations. Thus, the use of polymer-supported PPh3 offers potential applicability to diversity-oriented reactions. Formal total syntheses of apocynin and pratosine, as well as syntheses of anhydrolychorinone and hippadine, have been achieved through the use of this amide-forming method. An attempt has been made to gain insight into this reaction.