Copper-catalyzed Petasis-type reaction: a general route to α-substituted amides from imines, acid chlorides, and organoboron reagents.

A copper-catalyzed Petasis-type reaction of imines, acid chlorides, and organoboranes to form alpha-substituted amides is described. This reaction does not require the use of activated imines or the transfer of special units from the organoboranes and represent a useful generalization of the Petasis reaction.