Forging Amides Through Metal‐Catalyzed C–C Coupling with Isocyanates

Abstract

The natural occurrence of amides and their unique roles in synthetic materials and biologically active compounds make amide synthesis one of the most routinely performed reactions in organic chemistry. Despite the advances achieved, there is a growing need for the design of new catalytic technologies to complement existing amide bond‐forming reactions, which are often based on the formation of carbon–nitrogen bonds. Recent years have witnessed the development of a new disconnection approach to forging amides by means of metal‐catalyzed carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. This microreview highlights the most recent developments in the use of isocyanates in metal‐catalyzed amidations that take place according to this design principle. With the aim of illustrating the prospective impact of the use of isocyanates as amide synthons, this review highlights the advantages and drawbacks of the existing methods and describes the mechanistic implications when appropriate.