Fe(iii)-catalysed selective C-N bond cleavage of N -phenylamides by an electrochemical method.

An Fe(iii)-catalysed transformation of secondary N -phenyl substituted amides to primary amides by an electrochemical method is developed. Regioselective aryl C-H oxygenation occurs during the reaction, promoting selective C(phenyl)-N bond cleavage to form primary amides in yields of up to 92%.