A convenient protocol for C–H oxidation mediated by an azido radical culminating in Ritter-type amidation

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate in combination with sodium azide reacts with unactivated hydrocarbons in acetonitrile to furnish acetamides in one pot. The strategy can be used to introduce nitrogen functionality into a variety of compounds; a carboxylic ester directly afforded the corresponding α-amino acid.