Acylative Suzuki coupling of amides: acyl-nitrogen activation via synergy of independently modifiable activating groupsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures, characterization data of compounds, NMR spectra and HRMS spectra of new compounds. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc00430f

A highly efficient palladium-catalyzed acylative cross-coupling of carboxylic amides with arylboronic acids has been achieved via synergistic activation of the C acyl -N bond by independently modifiable activating groups. Coupling of amides features not only good functional group tolerance but also modifiable reactivities to overcome steric hindrance. Highly efficient Pd/PCy 3 -catalyzed acylative Suzuki coupling of carboxylic amides has been achieved to provide a variety of aryl ketones, including sterically hindered thus difficultly accessible ones.