Au(III)-catalyzed intermolecular amidation of benzylic C-H bonds.

Au(III)-catalyzed intermolecular amidations of benzylic C-H bonds with sulfonamides and carboxamides are described. The protocol with the Au-bipy complex/N-bromosuccinimide system provides practical applications for synthesis of various amides via C-H activations. The reaction proceeds with high efficiency to give the corresponding amines, which are extremely useful synthetic intermediates.