Robust NHC-palladacycles-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides via C-N activation

Robust NHC-palladacycles (NHC =N-heterocyclic carbene) were synthesized and exhibited high catalytic activity towards Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions between inactive amides with N-acetyl/benzyl substituents and aryl boronic acids, producing diverse ketones in good to excellent yields. This unprecedented and practical palladacycles-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides with boronic acids via selective C-N bond activation was attributed to the strong & sigma;-donor and weak & pi;-acceptor properties of acenaphthoimidazolylidene, which may highlight their potential in other challenging coupling transformations involving inactive amides.