Thieme Chemistry Journals Awardees - Where Are They Now? Bis(2-pyridyl)amides as Readily Cleavable Amides Under Catalytic, Neutral, and Room-Temperature Conditions

Mild solvolytic cleavage of bis(2-pyridyl)amide under neutral and room-temperature conditions is described. The inherently stable amide was readily activated by catalytic amounts of metal cations to react with alcohols. Based on X-ray crystallographic analysis, the primary driving force was considered to be amide distortion induced by the metal coordination of two pyridyl groups in a bidentate fashion without affecting the amide functionality. The compatibility of the acid/basesensitive functionalities and the absence of racemization during solvolysis highlight the mildness of the present protocol.