Supported-Pd catalyzed tandem approach for N-arylbenzamides synthesis

•A single step domino approach for the direct synthesis of N-phenylbenzamide scaffolds under supported palladium catalyzed conditions.•Bifunctional transformation of aryl iodides with in-situ CO from oxalic acid and NaN3 following two different pathways of carbonylation and azidation respectively.•Base, ligand and additive free approach.•Oxalic acid as green, economic and readily available CO source.•Sodium azide as an atom-economical and efficient N-atom source.•Easy accessibility and affordability of starting materials.•Detailed mechanistic study along with DFT calculations.