A three-component synthesis of aryl(heteroaryl)acylamides

A three-component reaction of azole or azine N-oxides, 1,1-difluorostyrenes and amines gives amides of α-aryl-α-heteroarylacetic or propionic acids. The key step is 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between N-oxide and difluorostyrene leading to the acyl fluoride intermediate, which has been identified and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The whole process is an example of selective functionalization of C-H bonds in both 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic systems.