Highly efficient synthesis of amides via Ritter chemistry with ionic liquids

The utility of Bronsted-acidic imidazolium ionic liquid [BMIM(SO3H)][OTf] as catalyst for the high yield synthesis of a wide variety of amides under mild conditions via the Ritter reaction of alcohols with nitriles has been demonstrated. As alternative methods for the carbocation generation step, NOPF6 immobilized in [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid was used in the Ritter reaction of bromides with nitriles and for the synthesis of adamantyl amides from adamantane and nitriles. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.