Mild amidation of aldehydes with amines mediated by lanthanide catalysts.

Catalytic amidation of aldehydes with amines is efficiently mediated by homoleptic lanthanide amido complexes, Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3 (Ln = La, Sm, and Y). Amidation reactivity follows the trend: La > Sm approximately Y. These reactions proceed in high yield without added oxidants, bases, and/or heat or light, which are usually required in other catalytic amidation processes. The reaction is demonstrated with a variety of amines, with yields as high as 98% based on amine.