Fe(iii)-catalysed selective C–N bond cleavage of N-phenylamides by an electrochemical method

Abstract

An Fe(III)-catalysed transformation of secondary N-phenyl substituted amides to primary amides by an electrochemical method is developed. Regioselective aryl C–H oxygenation occurs during the reaction, promoting selective C(phenyl)-N bond cleavage to form primary amides in yields of up to 92%.