Sulfated tungstate: a highly efficient catalyst for transamidation of carboxamides with amines

An environmentally benign protocol for the transamidation of carboxamides with amines using sulfated tungstate, as a heterogeneous catalyst, has been developed. The method has been successfully applied to the synthesis of a wide range of aromatic and aliphatic amides and phthalimides. Efficient transformation, mild reaction conditions, easy product isolation and the potential reusability of the catalyst are attractive features.