Improved Procedure for the Bimolecular Oxidative Amidation of Phenols

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an effective promoter of the bimolecular Ritter-like oxidative amidation of 4-substituted phenols induced by PhI(OAc) 2 in MeCN. This suppresses the need for fluoroalcohol cosolvents, increases the yields, and facilitates isolation/purification procedures.