Nickel‐Catalyzed Isotopic Labeling: Synthesis of Oxygen‐18‐Labeled Esters from Amides.

A method is developed for preparing 18O‐labeled esters through a Ni‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of amides, alkyl halides, and 18O‐labeled water. This method demonstrated excellent selectivity and compatibility with various amides and alkyl halides, allowing the synthesis of diverse isotopically labelled esters. Ni‐catalyzed reaction of alkyl bromides, carboxylates that generated from amides, and water in the presence of a base formed the desired esters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]