Heterogeneous recyclable nano-palladium catalyzed amidation of esters using formamides as amine sources

Catalyzed by supported palladium nanoparticles, a decarbonylative amidation reaction between various aryl esters and formamides by C-O bond activation has been developed for the synthesis of amides. The catalyst can be reused and shows high activity after five cycles. The XPS analysis of the catalyst before and after the reaction suggested that the reaction might be performed via a Pd-0/Pd-II/Pd-IV catalytic cycle that began with Pd-0. The hot filtration test strongly suggests that the present reaction would proceed in a heterogeneous manner.