Process for the synthesis of amide bonds with the aid of novel catalysts

Process for the production of an amide bond by reaction of an acid with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a base with the aid of an amide linking reagent, characterised in that use is made of at least one amide linking reagent containing an anion of the formula (I),

• [P(CnF2n+1)yF6-y]− (I),
• where
• n stands on each occurrence, independently, for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 and
• y stands for 1, 2, 3 or 4.