Activation of Imidazolides Using Methyl Trifluoromethanesulfonate: A Convenient Method for the Preparation of Hindered Esters and Amides

Treatment of imidazolides with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate followed by reaction with alcohols or amines provides a convenient one-pot procedure for thr preparation of esters and amides. The method is applicable to imidazolides of low reactivity as well as to hindered nucleophiles.