Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative Amidation of Sterically Hindered Aldehydes and Alcohols

A rhodium-catalyzed oxidative amidation reaction has been developed with sterically hindered aldehydes and alcohols for the synthesis of amides containing a quaternary carbon at the alpha position. A variety of amine nucleophiles, both aliphatic and aromatic, are employed and afford the corresponding amides in good to excellent yields. Finally, mechanistic studies are performed to gain insight into both catalytic cycles.