Metal free access to amide compounds via peroxide-mediated NN double bond cleavage of azobenzenes

Abstract

A direct amidation of aldehydes or benzylamines with azobenzenes through TBHP-mediated NN double bond cleavage of azobenzenes has been developed. A series of amide compounds with a wide range of functionalities were obtained with moderate to good yields. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the NN double bond cleavage of azobenzenes used in synthesizing amide compounds.