Direct, facile synthesis of acyl azides and nitriles from carboxylic acids using bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride

A mild, efficient, and practical method for the one-step synthesis of acyl azides from carboxylic acids using bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride is described. The reaction was easily extended to the synthesis of the corresponding nitriles by the inclusion of phosphorous reagents. The method can be applied to the synthesis of optically active nitriles in high yields, and is compatible with fluorous phosphines.