Direct Synthesis of Amides from Carboxylic Acids and Amines Using B(OCH(2)CF(3))(3)

[Image: see text] B(OCH(2)CF(3))(3), prepared from readily available B(2)O(3) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, is as an effective reagent for the direct amidation of a variety of carboxylic acids with a broad range of amines. In most cases, the amide products can be purified by a simple filtration procedure using commercially available resins, with no need for aqueous workup or chromatography. The amidation of N-protected amino acids with both primary and secondary amines proceeds effectively, with very low levels of racemization. B(OCH(2)CF(3))(3) can also be used for the formylation of a range of amines in good to excellent yield, via transamidation of dimethylformamide.