Solvent-Free N-Alkylation of Amides with Alcohols Catalyzed by Nickel on Silica–Alumina

The N-alkylation of phenylacetamide with benzyl alcohol has been studied using Ni/SiO2-Al2O3. In the optimized conditions, the desired product was isolated in an excellent 98 % yield. The reaction could advantageously be performed in neat conditions, with a slight excess of amide and a catalytic amount of base. These conditions were tested on a large range of amides and alcohols, affording 24 compounds in 13 to 99 % isolated yields.