Metal Catalyst-Free by Design. The Synthesis of Amides from Alkyl Iodides, Carbon Monoxide and Amines by a Hybrid Radical/Ionic Reaction.

Amides can be synthesized from alkyl iodides and amines in the presence of CO (20–25 atm), without using transition metal catalyst; the radical cascade is initiated thermally using AIBN and allyltributyltin.