Alcohols as electrophiles: iron-catalyzed Ritter reaction and alcohol addition to alkynes

A simple, iron-based catalytic system allows for a straightforward method for the synthesis of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides. The system also allows the addition of benzyl alcohols across phenylacetylene to produce substituted phenyl ketones. This transformation improves and expands the substrate scope beyond that previously reported and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, tolerating air and moisture.