Metal-free pinnick-type oxidative amidation of aldehydes

A metal-free Pinnick-type oxidative amidation of aldehyde has been developed. Sodiumchlorite was found to be a useful oxidant in coupling an aldehyde and amine to form an amide bond. A large variety of substrates are suitable and many functional groups are tolerated due to the mild nature of this amidation methodology. Optically active substrates were coupled smoothly with good yield and without racemization. As inexpensive reagents were used, it is cost effective even on a larger scale, indicating its potential for practical application.