Omega-azido acids, alter activation of the carboxyl groups as mixed an
hydrides, N3(CH2)nCOOCOAr (Ar = 3,5-dinitrophenyl or 2,4,6-trichloroph
enyl), can be converted to macrolactams in good yields by treatment wi
th Bu3P under high-dilution conditions; the presence of 4-dimethylamin
opyridine improves slightly the yields. Amides and peptides can be rea
dily obtained by this procedure.