New chemistry with old-functional groups: On the reaction of isonitriles with carboxylic acids - A route to various amide types

Thermolysis of isonitriles with carboxylic acids provides, in one step, N-formyl imides (see, for example, 8 + 19 -> 21). The resultant N-formyl group can be converted to N-H, NCH(2)OH, or NCH(3). This chemistry allows for a new route for synthesizing beta-N (asparagine)linked glycosyl amino acids.