Enamide Synthesis by Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Amides and Potassium Alkenyltrifluoroborate Salts

A new partner: Potassium alkenyltrifluoroborate salts undergo coupling with amides to give enamides in the presence of a Cu(OAc)2 catalyst and under mild oxidative conditions (see scheme). The air‐ and water‐stable alkenyltrifluoroborate salts offer a convenient alternative to alkenyl halides as cross‐coupling partners. A range of amides undergo coupling including cyclic amides, imides, and carbamates as well as benzamides.