A mild and efficient procedure for the conversion of aromatic carboxylic esters to secondary amides

A mild and efficient procedure has been developed for the conversion of aromatic carboxylic esters to secondary amides using reusable Zn dust with microwave heating in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide or conventional heating by stirring in an oil bath using THF as solvent. Zn dust can be reused several times after simple washing with dil. HCl and distilled water.