Iron-catalyzed benzamide formation. Application to the synthesis of moclobemide

Abstract A convenient and user-friendly method to yield benzamides from primary and secondary amines and various benzylic alcohols in the presence of a cheap iron salt (FeCl 2 ·4H 2 O) and tert -butylhydroperoxide (70% in water) as a stoichiometric oxidant is described. Control experiments indicated that this reaction might involve radical species. This method proved to be general, generating a family of 30 benzamides and was applied to the preparative synthesis of anti-anxiety drug moclobemide.