Carboxamidation of carboxylic acids with 1-tert-butoxy-2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline (BBDI) without bases

Formation of carboxamides of a variety of carboxylic acids with the coupling reagent BBDI is described. This procedure permits a one pot and simple operation without the need of any bases and no base was required for even use of amine hydrochlorides. In addition, an approach to BBDI-catalyzed carboxamidation is examined.