Mechanochemical Synthesis of Primary Amides
Jorge Gómez-Carpintero, J. Domingo Sánchez, J. Francisco González,* and J. Carlos Menéndez*

Cite This: J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237 Read Online

ACCESS Metrics & More Article Recommendations *sı Supporting Information

ABSTRACT: Ball milling of aromatic, heteroaromatic, vinylic, and
aliphatic esters with ethanol and calcium nitride afforded the
corresponding primary amides in a transformation that was
compatible with a variety of functional groups and maintained
the integrity of a stereocenter α to carbonyl. This methodology was
applied to α-amino esters and N-BOC dipeptide esters and also to
the synthesis of rufinamide, an antiepileptic drug.

Mechanochemistry involves chemical transformations
induced by the direct absorption of mechanical energy,

normally arising from grinding or milling processes. This mode
of activation has grown in importance over the past decade,1

and indeed, in 2019 IUPAC chose mechanochemistry as one
of the “ten chemical innovations that will change the world”.2

Mechanochemistry is generally performed in the solid state
and, therefore, under solvent-free conditions with very high
reagent concentrations. Consequently, solvation phenomena
are not significant, often leading to accelerated reactions and
alterations in product selectivity, which may lead to the
discovery of new chemical transformations.3 Furthermore, the
use of solvent-free conditions is relevant in the context of green
chemistry, since volatile organic solvents are the vast majority
of residues from synthetic activities.4 Accordingly, there is a
growing interest in the application of mechanochemistry to the
synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).5

The amide group is one of the most fundamental structural
fragments in organic molecules. It is key to the primary
structure of peptides and proteins, a group of biomolecules
essential to life, and it is also widespread in polymers,
agrochemicals, and drug molecules. Indeed, amide preparation
is the most frequent chemical transformation in drug synthesis,
and it has been estimated to comprise about 25% of the
reactions performed in medicinal chemistry projects.6 A
number of mechanochemical approaches to amide synthesis
from amines and carboxylic acids have been developed on the
basis of the use of coupling reagents such as EDC,7 EDC/
HOBt in the presence of Mg−Al hydrotalcite,8 EDC in the
presence of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite,9 carbonyldiimida-
zole,10 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine/triphenylphosphine,11 uro-
nium-based reagents,12 and hydrolytic enzymes.13 In polymer
science, amide bonds have also been generated from acyl
chlorides and anilines under mortar and pestle milling
conditions14 or ball milling.15 N-Arylamides have been

obtained from O-pivaloyl hydroxamic acids and aryl iodides
or boronic acids under ball milling in the presence of a copper
mediator.16 Mechanochemical versions of the Ritter reaction17

and the Beckmann rearrangement18 are also relevant routes to
amides. For the case of peptide synthesis, direct coupling of
amino acids with Leuchs anhydrides or N-carboxyanhy-
drides,19 or the use of ethyl cyano(hydroxyimino)acetate
(Oxyma) to promote the reaction between amino ester salts
and N-protected amino acids, have been employed.20 Never-
theless, the synthesis of primary amides by mechanochemical
methods has not been described so far, with the exception of
the transformation of carboxylic acids into amides by manually
grinding carbocylic acids, 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine, and
ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of potassium
carbonate,21 perhaps due to the difficulties found in handling
gaseous reagents under ball milling.22 Our goal here is to offer
a simple solution to this problem via a process for preparing
primary amides from esters using calcium nitride as a source of
ammonia. Primary amide groups are widespread in natural
products and drug molecules, and some representative
examples of the latter are shown in Figure 1.
We first optimized the mechanochemical transformation of

ethyl 3-fluorobenzoate 1a into primary amide 2a with
magnesium nitride, which has been employed as a source of
ammonia in several transformations, although harsh reaction
conditions were required (sealed tube, 80 °C, 24 h).23 We first
examined the reaction of 2a with magnesium nitride−ethanol
in the absence of additives, but only starting materials were

Special Issue: Enabling Techniques for Organic Syn-
thesis

Received: September 25, 2021
Published: October 1, 2021

Notepubs.acs.org/joc

© 2021 American Chemical Society
14232

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

D
ow

nl
oa

de
d 

vi
a 

U
N

IV
 C

O
M

PL
U

T
E

N
SE

 D
E

 M
A

D
R

ID
 o

n 
D

ec
em

be
r 

21
, 2

02
1 

at
 1

1:
17

:1
0 

(U
T

C
).

Se
e 

ht
tp

s:
//p

ub
s.

ac
s.

or
g/

sh
ar

in
gg

ui
de

lin
es

 f
or

 o
pt

io
ns

 o
n 

ho
w

 to
 le

gi
tim

at
el

y 
sh

ar
e 

pu
bl

is
he

d 
ar

tic
le

s.

https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="Jorge+Go%CC%81mez-Carpintero"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Domingo+Sa%CC%81nchez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Francisco+Gonza%CC%81lez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Carlos+Mene%CC%81ndez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?goto=articleMetrics&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?goto=recommendations&?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?goto=supporting-info&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=tgr1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/toc/joceah/86/20?ref=pdf
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
https://acsopenscience.org/open-access/licensing-options/


recovered at milling frequencies up to 30 Hz for 90 min using a
stainless steel milling jar and ball (Table 1, entry 1). After

several Lewis acid catalysts were screened with moderate
success (entries 2−5), zinc chloride (0.2 equiv, 90 min, 30 Hz)
gave a good 85% conversion (entry 6), although attempts to
reduce reaction time, catalyst loading, or milling frequency
were unsuccessful (entries 7−9). Indium trichloride was later
identified as a better catalyst, allowing 91% conversion (entry
10), but again reductions in reaction time or milling frequency
were slightly detrimental (entries 11 and 12) and a lower
amount of catalyst was not tolerated (entry 13).
Starting from these conditions, the optimization of other

reaction parameters was undertaken. Attempted purification of
the crude reaction products by extraction with ethyl acetate−
water, in spite of the excellent conversion, gave only 22%
isolated yield (Table 2, entry 1). This was ascribed to
interference of magnesium salts present in the reaction

medium, which remain as a suspension during workup. We
attempted the use of alternative sources of ammonia, such as
ammonium chloride or acetate, but no product formation was
observed (entries 2 and 3). Lowering the amount of
magnesium nitride to 2 equiv was also unsuccessful (entries
4 and 5), but the use of 3 equiv of the ammonia source,
coupled to an increase in the catalyst load, gave a promising
73% isolated yield (entry 6). In an effort to improve the
isolation protocol, we performed workup with an aqueous
solution of Rochelle salt, which often prevents the formation of
emulsions in reactions involving aluminum-based reagents, but
in our case, no improvement was observed. A control
experiment carried out in solution, at room temperature,
gave 49% isolated yield of compound 2a, proving the beneficial
effect of the mechanochemical conditions (entry 7). The use of
calcium nitride was then assayed, with improved results
(entries 8 and 9). Finally, we observed an additional
improvement by lowering the amount of ethanol (entries 10
and 11), which can be ascribed to more efficient milling due to
the smaller amount of liquid in the mixture.
Using the optimized conditions, we examined the scope of

the mechanochemical protocol for the synthesis of primary
amides. Our results are summarized in Scheme 2a and show
that the method is suitable for the preparation of aromatic
(2a−c), heteroaromatic (2h−j), vinylic (2d), aliphatic (2e,f
and 2k−n), and aliphatic cyclic (2g) amides from the
corresponding esters. Several functional groups, including
halogen, acetal, thioether, and amino groups, were tolerated
(2a, 2e, and 2m,n, respectively). It is also relevant to note that
the stereogenic center of the amino acid esters maintained its
integrity, as shown by the optical rotation of compound 2m,
identical to published values. The mechanochemical con-
ditions were also employed to obtain dipeptide amides from
the corresponding esters while maintaining the carbamate
protection, affording compounds 2o−2q. A lactone, 3,4-
dihydrocoumarin 1q, was also efficiently transformed into
the corresponding hydroxy amide 2q (Scheme 2b). A control
experiment with benzoic acid did not furnish 2b, giving instead
recovered starting material.
Yields were generally in the 70−90% range and could be

compared to those obtained under sealed-tube heating23a for
three examples. In the case of 2d and 2g, the mechanochemical
yield was lower (74% vs 99% for 2d and 67% vs 85% for 2g),

Figure 1. Representative drugs containing a primary amide group.

Table 1. Catalyst Optimization in the Synthesis of 2a

entry catalyst (equiv)
time
(min)

frequencya

(Hz)
conversionb,c

(%)

1 90 30 0
2 AlCl3 (0.2) 90 30 37
3 Yb(OTf)3 (0.2) 90 30 28
4 CuSO4 (0.2) 90 30 12
5 CuBr (0.2) 90 30 67
6 ZnCl2 (0.2) 90 30 85
7 ZnCl2 (0.2) 60 30 52
8 ZnCl2 (0.1) 90 30 43
9 ZnCl2 (0.1) 90 25 37
10 InCl3 (0.2) 90 30 91
11 InCl3 (0.2) 60 30 86
12 InCl3 (0.2) 60 25 83
13 InCl3 (0.1) 60 25 23

aIn a 10 mL stainless steel milling jar containing a single stainless steel
ball 10 mm in diameter. bEstimated by 1H NMR analysis of the
reaction crude, using 1,3,5-trimetoxybenzene as an internal standard.
c5 equiv of magnesium nitride and 1 mL of ethanol were employed.23a

Table 2. Optimization of Additional Reaction Parameters in
the Synthesis of 2aa

entry
catalyst
(equiv)

ammonia source
(equiv) proton source

yield
(%)

1 InCl3 (0.2) Mg3N2 (5) EtOH (1 mL) 23
2 InCl3 (0.2) NH4Cl (5) 0
3 InCl3 (0.2) NH4OAc (5) 0
4 InCl3 (0.2) Mg3N2 (2) EtOH (1 mL) traces
5 InCl3 (0.3) Mg3N2 (2) EtOH (1 mL) traces
6 InCl3 (0.4) Mg3N2 (3) EtOH (1 mL) 73
7 InCl3 (0.4) Mg3N2 (3) EtOH (solvent) 49b

8 InCl3 (0.4) Ca3N2 (2) EtOH (1 mL) 10
9 InCl3 (0.4) Ca3N2 (3) EtOH (1 mL) 79
10 InCl3 (0.4) Ca3N2 (3) EtOH (0.5 mL) 83
11 InCl3 (0.4) Ca3N2 (3) EtOH (0.3 mL) 88

aAll reactions were performed at 1 mmol scale by ball milling
(stainless steel jar and ball) at 30 Hz for 90 min. bControl experiment
carried out in solution.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Note

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

14233

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=fig1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=fig1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=fig1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=fig1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=tbl1&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=tbl1&ref=pdf
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as


while 2n gave a better yield under ball milling (91% vs. 83%).
Importantly, the mechanochemical conditions were milder (no
external heating vs 80 °C), reaction times were drastically
shorter (90 min vs 24 h), and solid-phase extraction through a
hydrophobic frit23a was not required for purification.
In order to show the applicability of the mechanochemical

method to a multistep synthesis, we examined the preparation
of the drug rufinamide,24 approved for the treatment of
Lennox−Gastaut syndrome and other forms of epilepsy, by the
route summarized in Scheme 3. The starting material 3 was
transformed into azide 4 and then into the triazole-derived
ester 5 using a literature procedure,25 and its mechanochemical
treatment with calcium nitride under our optimal conditions
afforded rufinamide (6) in 61% yield.
In conclusion, mechanochemical activation by mall milling is

a suitable method for the transformation of esters into primary
amides by reaction with calcium nitride that does not require
chromatography. It is compatible with a variety of functional
groups and a stereocenter adjacent to carbonyl and was applied
to the synthesis of N-BOC dipeptide esters and the
antiepileptic drug rufinamide.

■ EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
Caution! The use of magnesium nitride to transform esters into amides in
methanol solution at 80 °C has been described to cause occasional

explosions, especially when working at a relatively large scale involving the
use of 1.3 g of magnesium nitride and 6 mL of methanol; see the
discussion in ref 37. We thank Duncan Browne (UCL School of
Pharmacy) for bringing to our attention this safety issue and the
associated references. Under our conditions (calcium nitride below 400

Scheme 2. Scope of the Mechanochemical Primary Amide Synthesis

Scheme 3. Synthesis of the Antiepileptic Drug Rufinamide
Using Mechanochemical Conditions for the Primary Amide
Formation Step

The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Note

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

14234

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=sch2&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=sch2&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=sch3&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?fig=sch3&ref=pdf
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as


mg, ethanol, ball milling in screw-top grinding jars) we have never
observed any explosion.
General Experimental Information. All reagents and solvents

were of commercial quality and were used as received. All compounds
1 were of commercial origin, with the exception of 1o−q, which were
prepared using a literature method.26 Reactions were monitored by
thin-layer chromatography on aluminum plates coated with silica gel
and a fluorescent indicator. Mechanochemical reactions were
performed in a mixer mill at a 30 Hz frequency, using a 10 mL
stainless steel grinding jar and a single stainless steel ball 15 mm in
diameter. Infrared spectra were recorded with a ATR spectropho-
tometer equipped with a diamond accessory. NMR spectra were
recorded using spectrometers operating at 250/300 MHz for 1H
NMR and 62.5/75 MHz for 13C NMR, maintained by the Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance Unit at Universidad Complutense (UCM).
Optical rotation values were determined with a polarimeter having a 1
mL cell and a sodium vapor lamp. Combustion elemental analyses
were determined by the Elemental Microanalysis Unit (UCM).
General Procedure for the Mechanochemical Synthesis of

Primary Amides. The suitable ester (1 mmol), together with Ca3N2
(445 mg, 3 mmol), InCl3 (88 mg, 0.4 mmol), and ethanol (0.3 mL),
were added to a 10 mL stainless steel milling jar, along with a 10 mm
stainless steel ball. The ball mill was set to vibrate at a frequency of 30
Hz for 90 min. Subsequently, the contents of the milling jar were
washed twice with ethyl acetate (5 mL) and water (2 mL), and the
two layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl
acetate (2 × 5 mL), and the combined organic fractions were dried
with Na2SO4 and concentrated under vacuum. The resulting solid was
washed with petroleum ether (2 × 2.5 mL) to afford the pure amides.
The compounds thus obtained, including 2a−2c,27 2d, 2g and 2r,23a

2e,28 2f,29 2h and 2j,30 2i,31 2k,32 2l,33 and 634 showed
characterization data coincident with those found in the literature,
and copies of their NMR spectra can be found in the Supporting
Information.
(+)-Phenylalaninamide (2m). 1H NMR (300 MHz, methanol-d4):

δ 7.35−7.19 (m, 5H), 3.63−3.53 (m, 1H), 3.04 (dd, J = 13.4, 5.9 Hz,
1H), 2.81 (dd, J = 13.4, 7.6 Hz, 1H). 13C{1H} NMR (75 MHz,
methanol-d4): δ 178.1, 137.5, 129.1, 128.2, 126.4, 56.0, 41.1. [α]D

25 =
+22.4 (0.02 g/100 mL, H2O + 3 drops of 35% HCl) [lit.35 = +20.0
(for the hydrochloride salt, 2 g/100 mL, H2O)].
(+)-Methionamide (2n). Spectral data were coincident with those

found in the literature.36 [α]D
25 (0.005 g/100 mL, H2O + 3 drops of

35% HCl) = +6.6.
(S)-tert-Butyl (1-((2-Amino-2-oxoethyl)amino)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-

1-oxopropan-2-yl)carbamate (2o). IR: 3296, 3066, 2976, 1655 cm−1.
1H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3) δ 9.00 (br s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J = 7.7 Hz,
1H), 7.31 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.19−7.03 (m, 3H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 6.42
(br s, 1H), 6.25 (br s, 1H), 5.58 (br s, 1H), 4.44 (q, J = 6.5 Hz, 1H),
3.62 (br s, 2H), 1.39 (s, 9H). 13C{1H} NMR (62.5 MHz, CDCl3) δ
173.4, 172.8, 156.4, 136.7, 127.7, 124.1, 122.5, 119.94, 118.9, 112.0,
110.1, 81.0, 56.1, 43.0, 28.7 ppm. [α]D

25 = +6.16 (c = 0.006 g/100
mL, CHCl3). Anal. Calcd for C18H24N4O4, C, 59.99; H, 6.71; N,
15.55. Found: C, 59.72; H, 6.59; N, 15.31.
(S)-tert-Butyl (1-((2-Amino-2-oxoethyl)amino)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-

propan-2-yl)carbamate (2p). IR: 3298, 3072, 2977, 1664 cm−1. 1H
NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3, major conformer) δ 7.36−7.21 (m, 5H),
7.07 (br s, 1H, NH), 6.53 (br s, 1H), 5.90 (br s, 1H), 5.31 (br s, 1H),
4.37 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.88 (m, 2H), 3.08 (m, 2H), 1.37 (s, 9H)
ppm. 13C{1H} NMR (62.5 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.6, 1721, 156.3, 136.8,
129.6, 129.2, 127.5, 81.1, 56.7, 43.1, 38.4, 28.6 ppm. [α]D

25 = +1.37 (c
= 0.006 g/100 mL, CHCl3). Anal. Calcd for C16H23N3O4, C, 59.80;
H, 7.21; N, 13.08. Found: C, 59.45; H, 7.02; N, 12.79.
(S)-tert-Butyl (1-((2-Amino-2-oxoethyl)amino)-1-oxopropan-2-

yl)carbamate (2q). IR: 3297, 2977, 1656 cm−1. 1H NMR (250
MHz, CDCl3 major conformer) δ 7.48 (br t, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (br
s, 1H), 6.26 (br s, 1H), 5.55 (br d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (m, 1H),
4.00 (dd, 2H, J = 17.0 and 5.5 Hz), 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.38 (d, 3H, J = 7.0
Hz) ppm. 13C{1H} NMR (62.5 MHz, CDCl3) δ 174.2, 172.6, 156.4,
80.9, 51.1, 43.1, 28.7, and 18.3 ppm. [α]D

25 = −11.25 (c = 0.004 g/

100 mL, CHCl3). Anal. Calcd for C10H19N3O4: C, 48.97; H, 7.81; N,
17.13. Found: C, 48.68; H, 7.62; N, 16.97.

■ ASSOCIATED CONTENT
*sı Supporting Information
The Supporting Information is available free of charge at
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350.

Copies of 1H NMR and 13C{1H} NMR spectra of all
compounds (PDF)

■ AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Authors

J. Francisco González − Unidad de Química Orgánica y
Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias
Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad
Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Email: jfgonzal@
ucm.es

J. Carlos Menéndez − Unidad de Química Orgánica y
Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias
Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad
Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; orcid.org/0000-
0002-0560-8416; Email: josecm@ucm.es

Authors
Jorge Gómez-Carpintero − Unidad de Química Orgánica y
Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias
Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad
Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain

J. Domingo Sánchez − Unidad de Química Orgánica y
Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias
Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad
Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Complete contact information is available at:
https://pubs.acs.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350

Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.

■ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Support from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grant No.
RTI2018-097662-B-I00) and Universidad Complutense (pre-
doctoral contract to JG-C) is gratefully acknowledged. We also
acknowledge the COST Action CA18112 (Mechanochemistry
for Sustainable Industry).

■ REFERENCES
(1) For selected recent reviews, see: (a) O’Neill, R. T.; Boulatov, R.
The many flavours of mechanochemistry and its plausible conceptual
underpinnings. Nat. Chem. Rev. 2021, 5, 148−167. (b) Egorov, I. N.;
Santra, S.; Kopchuk, D. S.; Kovalev, I. S.; Zyryanov, G. V.; Majee, A.;
Ranu, B. C.; Rusinov, V. L.; Chupakhin, O. N. Ball-milling: An
efficient and green approach for asymmetric organic synthesis. Green
Chem. 2020, 22, 302−315. (c) Frisčǐc,́ T.; Mottillo, C.; Titi, H. M.
Mechanochemistry for synthesis. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2020, 59,
1018−1029. (d) Porcheddu, A.; Colacino, E.; De Luca, L.; Delogu, F.
Metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed reactions under mechanochem-
ical conditions. ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 8344−8394. (e) Howard, J. L.;
Cao, Q.; Browne, D. L. Mechanochemistry as an emerging tool for
molecular synthesis: what can it offer? Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 3080−
3094. (f) Leonardi, M.; Villacampa, M.; Menéndez, J. C. Multi-
component mechanochemical synthesis. Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 2042−
2064. (g) See also refs 3−5.
(2) (a) Gomollón-Bel, F. Ten chemical innovations that will change
our world. Chem. Int. 2019, 41, 12−17. (b) Krämer, K. https://www.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Note

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

14235

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350/suppl_file/jo1c02350_si_001.pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350/suppl_file/jo1c02350_si_001.pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?goto=supporting-info
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350/suppl_file/jo1c02350_si_001.pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Francisco+Gonza%CC%81lez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
mailto:jfgonzal@ucm.es
mailto:jfgonzal@ucm.es
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Carlos+Mene%CC%81ndez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0560-8416
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0560-8416
mailto:josecm@ucm.es
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="Jorge+Go%CC%81mez-Carpintero"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/action/doSearch?field1=Contrib&text1="J.+Domingo+Sa%CC%81nchez"&field2=AllField&text2=&publication=&accessType=allContent&Earliest=&ref=pdf
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-020-00249-y
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-020-00249-y
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9GC03414E
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9GC03414E
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201906755
https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c00142?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c00142?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC05371A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC05371A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC05370C
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC05370C
https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2019-0203
https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2019-0203
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/iupac-names-10-chemistry-innovations-that-will-change-the-world/3010335.article
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as


chemistryworld.com/news/iupac-names-10-chemistry-innovations-
that-will-change-the-world/3010335.article.
(3) Hernández, J. C.; Bolm, C. Altering product selectivity by
mechanochemistry. J. Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 4007−4019.
(4) Ardila-Fierro, K. J.; Hernández, J. G. Sustainability assessment of
mechanochemistry by using the twelve principles of green chemistry.
ChemSusChem 2021, 14, 2145−2162.
(5) For reviews, see: (a) Tan, D.; Loots, L.; Frisčǐc,́ T. Towards
medicinal mechanochemistry: evolution of milling from pharmaceut-
ical solid form screening to the synthesis of active pharmaceutical
ingredients (APIs). Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 7760−7781. (b) Pérez-
Venegas, M.; Juaristi, E. Mechanochemical and mechanoenzymatic
synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds: A green perspec-
tive. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 8881−8893. (c) Ying, P.;
Yu, J.; Su, W. Liquid-assisted grinding mechanochemistry in the
synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2021, 363, 1246−
1271.
(6) Boström, J.; Brown, D. G.; Young, R. J.; Keserü, G. M.
Expanding the medicinal chemistry synthetic toolbox. Nat. Rev. Drug
Discovery 2018, 17, 709−727.
(7) Štrukil, V.; Bartolec, B.; Portada, T.; Đilovic,́ I.; Halasz, I.;
Margetic,́ D. One-pot mechanosynthesis of aromatic amides and
dipeptides from carboxylic acids and amines. Chem. Commun. 2012,
48, 12100−12102.
(8) Landeros, J. M.; Juaristi, E. Mechanochemical synthesis of
dipeptides using Mg-Al hydrotalcite as activating agent under solvent-
free reaction conditions. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2017, 687−694.
(9) Anselmi, M.; Stavole, P.; Boanini, E.; Bigi, A.; Juaristi, E.;
Gentilucci, L. Green synthesis of bioactive oligopeptides promoted by
recyclable nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Future Med. Chem. 2020,
12, 479−491.
(10) Kumar, V.; Kumar Giri, S.; Venugopalan, P.; Ravindranathan
Kartha, K. P. Synthesis of cross-linked glycopeptides and ureas by a
mechanochemical, solvent-free reaction and determination of their
structural properties by TEM and X-ray crystallography. ChemPlu-
sChem 2014, 79, 1605−1613.
(11) Duangkamol, C.; Jaita, S.; Wangngae, S.; Phakhodee, W.;
Pattarawarapan, M. An efficient mechanochemical synthesis of amides
and dipeptides using 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and PPh3. RSC Adv.
2015, 5, 52624−52628.
(12) Dalidovich, T.; Mishra, K. A.; Shalima, T.; Kudrjasǒva, M.;
Kananovich, D. G.; Aav, R. Mechanochemical synthesis of amides
with uronium-based coupling reagents: A method for hexa-amidation
of biotin[6]uril. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 15703−15715.
(13) (a) Hernández, J. G.; Ardila-Fierro, K. J.; Crawford, D.; James,
S. L.; Bolm, C. Mechanoenzymatic peptide and amide bond
formation. Green Chem. 2017, 19, 2620−2625. (b) Bolm, C.;
Hernández, J. G. From synthesis of amino acids and peptides to
enzymatic catalysis: A bottom-up approach in mechanochemistry.
ChemSusChem 2018, 11, 1410−1420.
(14) Rajput, L.; Banerjee, R. Mechanochemical synthesis of amide
functionalized porous organic polymers. Cryst. Growth Des. 2014, 14,
2729−2732.
(15) Yang, Y.; Bu, F.; Liu, J.; Shakir, I.; Xu, Y. Mechanochemical
synthesis of two-dimensional aromatic polyamides. Chem. Commun.
2017, 53, 7481−7484.
(16) Broumidis, E.; Jones, M. C.; Vilela, F.; Lloyd, G. O.
Mechanochemical synthesis of N-aryl amides from O-protected
hydroxamic acids. ChemPlusChem 2020, 85, 1754−1761.
(17) Dokli, I.; Gredicǎk, M. Mechanochemical Ritter reaction: A
rapid approach to functionalized amides at room temperature. Eur. J.
Org. Chem. 2015, 2727−2732.
(18) Mocci, R.; Colacino, E.; De Luca, L.; Fattuoni, C.; Porcheddu,
A.; Delogu, F. The mechanochemical Beckmann rearrangement: An
eco-efficient “cut-and-paste” strategy to design the “good old amide
bond”. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2021, 9, 2100−2114.
(19) (a) Declerck, V.; Nun, P.; Martinez, J.; Lamaty, F. Solvent-free
synthesis of peptides. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 9318−9321.
(b) Hernández, J. G.; Juaristi, E. Green synthesis of α,β- and β,β-

dipeptides under solvent-free conditions. J. Org. Chem. 2010, 75,
7107−7111. (c) Bonnamour, J.; Métro, T.-X.; Martinez, J.; Lamaty, F.
Environmentally benign peptide synthesis using liquid-assisted ball-
milling: application to the synthesis of Leu-enkephalin. Green Chem.
2013, 15, 1116−1110.
(20) (a) Porte, V.; Thioloy, M.; Pigoux, T.; Métro, T.-J.; Martinez,
J.; Lamaty, F. Peptide mechanosynthesis by direct coupling of N-
protected α-amino acids with amino esters. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2016,
3505−3508. (b) Maurin, O.; Verdié, P.; Subra, G.; Lamaty, F.;
Martinez, J.; Métro, T.-J. Peptide synthesis: ball-milling, in solution, or
on solid support, what is the best strategy? Beilstein J. Org. Chem.
2017, 13, 2087−2093.
(21) Jaita, S.; Phakhodee, W.; Chairungsi, N.; Pattarawarapan, M.
Mechanochemical synthesis of primary amides from carboxylic acids
using TCT/NH4SCN. Tetrahedron Lett. 2018, 59, 3571−3573.
(22) Bolm, C.; Hernández, J. G. Mechanochemistry of gaseous
reactants. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 3285−3299.
(23) (a) Veitch, G. E.; Bridgwood, K. L.; Ley, S. V. Magnesium
nitride as a convenient source of ammonia: Preparation of primary
amides. Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 3623−3625. (b) Bridgwood, K. L.;
Veitch, G. E.; Ley, S. V. Magnesium nitride as a convenient source of
ammonia: Preparation of dihydropyridines. Org. Lett. 2008, 10,
3627−3629. (c) Veitch, G. E.; Bridgwood, K. L.; Rands-Trevor, K.;
Ley, S. V. Magnesium nitride as a convenient source of ammonia:
Preparation of pyrroles. Synlett 2008, 2008, 2597−2600.
(24) Padmaja, R. D.; Chanda, K. A short review on synthetic
advances toward the synthesis of rufinamide, an antiepileptic drug.
Org. Process Res. Dev. 2018, 22, 457−466.
(25) Kankan, R. N.; Rao, D. R.; Birari, D. R. Process for the
preparation of rufinamide. PCT/GB2009/002419, 2009-09-10.
(26) López-Cobeñas, A.; Cledera, P.; Sánchez, J. D.; López-
Alvarado, P.; Ramos, M. T.; Avendaño, C.; Menéndez, J. C.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of 2,5-piperazinediones under solvent-
free conditions. Synthesis 2005, 19, 3412−3422.
(27) Li, X.-G.; Wang, W.-K.; Han, Y.-X.; Zhang, C. One-pot
synthesis of symmetrical 1,3-diarylureas or substituted benzamides
directly from benzylic primary alcohols and effective oxidation of
secondary alcohols to ketones using phenyliodine diacetate in
combination with sodium azide. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2010, 352,
2588−2598.
(28) Chiacchio, U.; Rescifina, A.; Saita, M. G.; Iannazzo, D.; Romeo,
G.; Mates, J. A.; Tejero, T.; Merino, P. Zinc(II) triflate-controlled 1,3-
dipolar cycloadditions of C-(2-thiazolyl)nitrones: Application to the
synthesis of a novel isoxazolidinyl analogue of tiazofurin. J. Org. Chem.
2005, 70, 8991−9001.
(29) Lambert, D. M.; Vandevoorde, S.; Diependaele, G.; Govaerts, S.
J.; Robert, A. R. Anticonvulsant activity of N-palmitoylethanolamide,
a putative endocannabinoid, in mice. Epilepsia 2001, 42, 321−327.
(30) Xu, F.; Song, Y.-Y.; Li, Y.-J.; Li, E.-L.; Wang, X.-R.; Li, W.-Y.;
Liu, C.-S. An efficient protocol for the synthesis of primary amides via
Rh-catalyzed rearrangement of aldoximes. ChemistrySelect 2018, 3,
3474−3478.
(31) Ray, R.; Hazari, A. S.; Chandra, S.; Maiti, D.; Lahiri, G. K.
Highly selective ruthenium-catalyzed direct oxygenation of amines to
amides. Chem. - Eur. J. 2018, 24, 1067−1071.
(32) Tinnis, F.; Lundberg, H.; Adolfsson, H. Direct catalytic
formation of primary and tertiary amides from non-activated
carboxylic acids, employing carbamates as amine source. Adv. Synth.
Catal. 2012, 354, 2531−2536.
(33) Khalil, A.; Elsayed, G. A.; Mohamed, H. A.; Raafat, A. Utility of
chloroacetonitrile in construction of some hitherto novel pyrazole and
thiazole derivatives. J. Iran. Chem. Soc. 2018, 15, 191−199.
(34) Meena, D. R.; Rao, R. N.; Maiti, B.; Chanda, K. Novel Cu(I)-
catalyzed one-pot multicomponent synthesis of the antiepileptic drug
rufinamide. Res. Chem. Intermed. 2017, 43, 4711−4717.
(35) Smith, E. L.; Spackman, D. H. Leucine aminopeptidases V.
Activation, specificity and mechanism of action. J. Biol. Chem. 1955,
212, 271−299.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Note

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

14236

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/iupac-names-10-chemistry-innovations-that-will-change-the-world/3010335.article
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/iupac-names-10-chemistry-innovations-that-will-change-the-world/3010335.article
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.6b02887?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.6b02887?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202100478
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202100478
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC02015A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC02015A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC02015A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC02015A
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01645?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01645?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01645?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.202001245
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.202001245
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2018.116
https://doi.org/10.1039/c2cc36613d
https://doi.org/10.1039/c2cc36613d
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201601276
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201601276
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201601276
https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2019-0320
https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2019-0320
https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.201402185
https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.201402185
https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.201402185
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA10127A
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA10127A
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c05558?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c05558?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c05558?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7GC00615B
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7GC00615B
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201800113
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201800113
https://doi.org/10.1021/cg500439f?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/cg500439f?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CC02648J
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CC02648J
https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202000451
https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202000451
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201500051
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201500051
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07254?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07254?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07254?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200903510
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200903510
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo101159a?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo101159a?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1039/c3gc40302e
https://doi.org/10.1039/c3gc40302e
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201600617
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201600617
https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.13.206
https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.13.206
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.08.035
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.08.035
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201810902
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201810902
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol801398z?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol801398z?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol801398z?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol801399w?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol801399w?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1083504
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1083504
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.oprd.7b00373?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.oprd.7b00373?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-918473
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-918473
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201000318
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201000318
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201000318
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201000318
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201000318
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo051572a?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo051572a?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo051572a?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1528-1157.2001.41499.x
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1528-1157.2001.41499.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.201800265
https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.201800265
https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201705601
https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201705601
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201200436
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201200436
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201200436
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-017-1223-9
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-017-1223-9
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-017-1223-9
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-017-2906-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-017-2906-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-017-2906-7
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)71115-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)71115-0
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as


(36) Aguiar, R. M.; Leao, R. A. C.; Mata, A.; Cantillo, D.; Kappe, C.
O.; Miranda, L. S. M.; de Souza, R. O. M. A. Continuous-flow
protocol for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure intermediates of
anti epilepsy and anti tuberculosis active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Org. Biomol. Chem. 2019, 17, 1552−1557.
(37) (a) Crane, S. Chem. Eng. News 2009, 87 (15), 2−4. (b) Ley, S.
V. Chem. Eng. News 2009, 87 (23), 4−5. (c) Buske, G. Chem. Eng.
News 2009, 87 (28), 2−4.

■ NOTE ADDED AFTER ASAP PUBLICATION
Published ASAP on October 1, 2021; Safety statement and ref
37 added October 6, 2021.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Note

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14232−14237

14237

https://doi.org/10.1039/C8OB03088J
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8OB03088J
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8OB03088J
pubs.acs.org/joc?ref=pdf
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c02350?urlappend=%3Fref%3DPDF&jav=VoR&rel=cite-as