Functional-group-convergent synthesis of amides

Amide bonds are ubiquitous in biology and synthetic chemistry, forming the backbone of peptides, proteins, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and natural products. Traditional amidation strategies typically rely on the inherent reactivity of carboxylic acids and amines, often requiring activating agents or pre-functionalized derivatives. Here, we report a functional-group-convergent (FGC) strategy for modular amide assembly from readily available starting materials. The method employs visible-light-mediated manganese-catalysed carbonylative amidation, proceeding via a synergistic radical–polar crossover cycle that merges radical and organometallic reactivity. Unactivated alkyl iodides, boronic acids, low-pressure carbon monoxide, and nitrogen-transfer reagents are converted directly into amides under mild conditions, with selective activation of C(sp ³ )–I bonds while preserving C(sp ² )–I bonds. The approach tolerates diverse functional groups and enables ¹⁵ N-labeled amide synthesis using isotopically enriched reagents. Its broad scope and chemoselectivity facilitate late-stage functionalization of complex drugs and natural products, exemplified by the efficient synthesis of Vorinostat and ¹⁵ N-labeled (±)-Acoitremon.