Indium-Triflate-Catalyzed Ritter Reaction in Liquid Sulfur Dioxide
The use of liquid sulfur dioxide as a reaction solvent facilitates the Ritter reaction between alcohols and nitriles. In(OTf)3 was found to be a viable catalyst for this transformation. The newly developed catalytic conditions for the Ritter reaction were successfully applied to the synthesis of various amides, which were formed in good to excellent yields. The catalytic activation of secondary alcohols for Ritter reactions in liquid sulfur dioxide was also found to be effective.