Efficient Transfer of Chelating Amides into Different Types of Esters and Lactones

We describe a general and versatile approach for the conversion of carboxylic acid amides into their corresponding esters despite the fact that the former are thermodynamically more stable. The transformations are mediated by the coordination of CuI by a chelating entity. The resulting weakening of the amide bond allows for nucleophilic attack by alcoholic hydroxyl functions. The principle is demonstrated for a wide variety of transformations, leading to different kinds of esters and lactones.