Visible light sensitization of benzoyl azides: Cascade cyclization toward oxindoles: Via a non-nitrene pathway

Visible light sensitization of benzoyl azides was examined in reaction with N-phenylmethacrylamides to afford biologically important oxindoles and spirooxindoles via a cascade cyclization under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies suggested a non-nitrene pathway, where triplet benzoyl azides act as the reactive intermediate. © 2017 The Royal Society of Chemistry7

Diboron-Catalyzed Dehydrative Amidation of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Amines

Tetrakis­(dimethylamido)­diboron and tetrahydroxydiboron are herein reported as new catalysts for the synthesis of aryl amides by catalytic condensation of aromatic carboxylic acids with amines. The developed protocol is both simple and highly efficient over a broad range of substrates. This method thus represents an attractive approach for the use of diboron catalysts in the synthesis of amides without having to resort to stoichiometric or additional dehydrating agents