Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of alpha,beta-Unsaturated Amides from Styrenes and Nitroarenes

A procedure on palladium-catalyzed selective aminocarbonylation of styrenes with nitroarenes for the synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides has been developed. A range of substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated amides were synthesized in moderate to good yields. Interestingly, nitroarenes act as both a nitrogen source and oxidant, and Mo(CO)(6) acts as a solid CO source and reductant in this catalytic system.