Synthesis of amides

Method of preparing dialkyl amides which comprises contacting an organic compound containing at least one carboxyl, carboxylic acid ester or carboxylic acid anhydride functionality with an amide carbamic acid salt having the formula:

• ##STR8## wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of --H, alkyl having 1 to about 20 carbon atoms including linear, branched and cyclic alkyls, aralkyl groups having the formula:
• Ar--CH.sub.2).sub.n
• wherein n is an integer having values of 1 to about 5 inclusive, Ar is an aromatic radical having up to about 15 carbons and optionally 1 hetero atom and the grouping --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 is a monovalent radical selected from the class consisting of piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, or pyrrole radicals, at a temperature of about 25.degree.-250.degree. C. until an amide is formed.