Metal-free triphenyl phosphite-catalyzed Ritter-type amidation of allylic alcohols

Abstract

A triphenyl phosphite-catalyzed, metal-, oxidant-, and additive-free Ritter-type amidation of allylic alcohols is described for the first time. Leveraging stabilized allylic carbocation intermediates, this method achieves direct coupling with nitriles under mild conditions, enabling precise regiocontrolled synthesis of amides with 100% atom economy. Demonstrating gram-scale applicability and diverse product derivatization potential, the protocol establishes a sustainable organocatalytic platform for C–N bond formation with broad functional group tolerance. A carbocation-mediated pathway is proposed through combined experimental studies.