A facile access for the C-N bond formation by transition metal-free oxidative coupling of benzylic C-H bonds and amides

Using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) as the oxidant, we communicate an efficient oxidative C-N coupling of benzylic C-H bonds with amides to afford a series of amination products in good yields. A wide range of functional groups as well as various sulfonamides and carboxamides are well tolerated. Moreover, this reaction involves both the challenging C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation.