Microwave Activation of the [FeCl3·6H2O–TsOH·H2O]-Catalyzed Reaction of Norbornene with Organic Nitriles

Abstract

An efficient catalytic system consisting of 20 mol % FeCl₃·6H₂O and 20 mol % of p-toluenesulfonic acid has been proposed for the amidation of norbornene in toluene with organic nitriles under microwave irradiation at 95°C for 1 h. The corresponding N-(norbornan-2-exo-yl) carboxamides have been obtained with high yields. The efficiency of InCl₃ in the amidation of norbornene with aryl cyanides has been demonstrated for the first time.