Catalytic Amination of Aldehydes to Amides

Aldehydes react in a disproportionation reaction in the presence of rhodium catalysts to yield amines and amides. By adding N-methylmorpholine N-oxide as an oxidant in the presence of catalytic amounts of rhodium, the oxidative amination of aldehydes proceeds selectively to give the corresponding amide. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes react with secondary amines to yield carboxylic acid amides in good to excellent yields.