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The first X-ray structures of two anomeric N,N-dialkoxyamides (2 and 3) have been obtained, which confirm that they are highly pyramidalized at nitrogen and have long N-CO bonds, a characteristic of other anomeric amides and a consequence of drastically reduced amidicity. The crystals also demonstrate chirality at the amide nitrogen in the solid state. The structures are well-predicted by density functional calculations using N,N-dimethoxyacetamide as a model. The amidicity of N,N-dimethoxyacetamide has been estimated by two independent methods, COSNAR and a new transamidation method, which give almost identical resonance stabilization energies of -8.6 kcal mol(-1) and only 47% that of N,N-dimethylacetamide computed at the same level. The total destabilization is composed of a resonance and an inductive contribution, which we have evaluated separately. The electronegative oxygens at nitrogen are responsible for localization of the nitrogen lone pair on the amide nitrogen, a factor that contributes to a loss of resonance over and above the impact of pyramidalization at nitrogen, as well as the fact that N,N-dimethoxyacetamide is predicted to protonate on the carbonyl oxygen in preference to nitrogen., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

An investigation of the use of Cp2Zr(H)Cl (Schwartz's reagent) to reduce a variety of amides to the corresponding aldehydes under very mild reaction conditions and in high yields is reported. A range of tertiary amides, including Weinreb's amides, can be converted directly to the corresponding aldehydes with remarkable chemoselectivity. Primary and secondary amides proved to be viable substrates for reduction as well, although the yields were somewhat diminished as compared to the corresponding tertiary amides. Results from NMR experiments suggested the presence of a stable, 18-electron zirconacycle intermediate that presumably affords the aldehyde upon water or silica gel workup. A series of competition experiments revealed a preference of the reagent for substrates in which the lone pair of the nitrogen is electron releasing and thus more delocalized across the amide bond by resonance. This trend accounts for the observed excellent selectivity for tertiary amides versus esters. Experiments regarding the solvent dependence of the reaction suggested a kinetic profile similar to that postulated for the hydrozirconation of alkenes and alkynes. Addition of p-anisidine to the reaction intermediate resulted in the formation of the corresponding imine mimicking the addition of water that forms the aldehyde.

The use of the Deoxo-Fluor reagent is a versatile method for acyl fluoride generation and subsequent one-flask amide coupling. It provides mild conditions and facile purification of the desired products in good to excellent yields. We have explored the utility of this reagent for the one-flask conversion of acids to amides and Weinreb amides and as a peptide-coupling reagent.

An investigation of the use of Cp2Zr(H)Cl (Schwart'z s reagent) to reduce a variety of amides to the corresponding aldehydes under very mild reaction conditions and in high yields is reported. A range of tertiary amides, including Weinreb's amides, can be converted directly to the corresponding aldehydes with remarkable chemoselectivity. Primary and secondary amides proved to be viable substrates for reduction as well, although the yields were somewhat diminished as compared to the corresponding tertiary amides Results from NMR experiments suggested the presence of a stable 18-electron zirconacycle intermediate that presumably affords the aldehyde upon water or silica gel workup A series of competition experiments revealed a preference of the reagent for substrates in which3 the lone pair of the nitrogen is electron releasing and thus more delocalized across the amide bond by resonance This trend accounts for the observed excellent selectivity for tertiary amides versus esters. Experiments regarding the solvent dependence of the reaction suggested a kinetic profile similar to that postulated for the hydrozirconation of alkenes and alkynes. Addition of p-anisidine to the reaction intermediate resulted in the formation of the corresponding imine mimicking the addition of water that forms the aldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]