Carbonyl Compounds′ Journey to Amide Bond Formation

The formation of amide bonds is one of the most stimulating emerging areas in organic and medicinal chemistry. Amides are recognized as central building blocks in a plethora of interesting pharmaceuticals, proteins, peptides, polymers, natural products, functional materials, and biologically relevant carbocyclic or heterocyclic molecules, and they are also found in a variety of industrial fields. Therefore, a review of recent developments and challenges in the formation of amide bonds from carbonyl compounds is particularly important. Herein, we have scrutinized a range of metal‐catalyzed and metal‐free approaches for the synthesis of amides from aldehydes, ketones, and oximes. In addition, this Minireview highlights relevant mechanistic studies, as well as the potential applications of these methods in the synthesis of candidate drug molecules. We hope that the data compiled herein will encourage further progress in this notable area of chemistry research. Journey to the center of the flask: Recent progress in the direct synthesis of amides from the reaction of aldehydes, ketones, and oximes with amines or amine surrogates is described. The reactivity of a range of catalytic systems, substrate scope, mechanistic studies, and relevant applications are briefly explored. We hope that this Minireview will encourage further progress in this notable area of chemistry research.