Ag-catalyzed acylation of N-heterocycles in aqueous solution

A silver-catalyzed Minisci-type acylation reaction is reported here. Acylation of electron-deficient N-heterocycles is achieved in aqueous solution through dehydrogenation cross-coupling of aldehydes and N-heteroarenes in open air without external Brønsted acid. Selectfluor® is used as a mild oxidant. This method has been successfully employed in acylation of a variety of N-heteroarenes with aldehydes. This strategy provides an efficient and mild method for acylation of N-heteroarenes.