Mike J. J. Litjens, Adrie J. J. Straathof, Jaap A. Jongejan and Joseph J. Heijnen
The synthesis of butyramide and oleamide, by Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed amidation of the carboxylic acids, in an organic solvent with ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbamate as a source of ammonia results in good yields, making prior activation of the acids unnecessary.